More than 36,000 Sudanese citizens have escaped after fall of El Fasher to paramilitary group, reports UN agency

Over 36,000 individuals have fled Sudan's Kordofan area eastern part of Darfur starting Saturday, according to the UN's migration agency.

The key central region separating the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine area has in recent weeks become the latest battleground in the extended civil war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary forces.

Substantial Displacement Numbers

An estimated 36,825 people evacuated from five localities in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The individuals, most on foot, moved toward Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently accommodating more than 652,000 displaced people.

Escalated Forces Deployment

Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday described a heavy surge in both RSF and army deployment across urban and rural areas throughout the state.

Both military groups are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a key logistics and command center that joins Darfur to Khartoum.

"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently distributed video message.

Regional Inhabitants Describe Safety Fears

A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the number of RSF vehicles had increased significantly since the group's takeover of El Fasher.

"We discontinued traveling to our farms, fearing confrontations," the individual commented.

Another civilian, who asked to remain unnamed for safety concerns, also reported that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.

World Alarms and Calls

A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "large-scale atrocities" and "ethnically motivated reprisals" by RSF in Bara.

The representative alerted to patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.

The church leader on Sunday appealed for an quick cessation of hostilities and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's ambassador to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher and declared that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the militia organization.

The diplomat further called on the world nations to designate the group as a terrorist organisation.

Stacy Clark
Stacy Clark

Elara is a seasoned lifestyle writer and wellness coach with a passion for exploring global cultures and sustainable living.