Over 60,000 Flee Sudan's City In the wake of Seizure by RSF Paramilitary Group, United Nations Says

Displaced people fleeing violence in Sudan
Many seek to get to the town of Tawila but experience harassment, demands for money and abuse from militiamen during their journey

According to the UNHCR, more than 60,000 civilians have escaped the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the militia RSF recently.

Reports indicate multiple executions and crimes against humanity as militia members took control of the city following an 18-month encirclement characterized by food shortages and sustained attacks.

The exodus of those fleeing the fighting towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, per UNHCR representative.

They were telling terrible tales of abuses, featuring sexual violence, and the organization was having trouble to secure sufficient accommodation and nourishment for them.

All children was suffering from undernourishment, she commented.

Calculations indicate that over 150,000 people are currently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the army's last fortress in the western part of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has rejected widespread allegations that the killings in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and resemble a practice of the Arab militia groups focusing on non-Arab populations.

Nevertheless the RSF has detained one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with extrajudicial killings.

The group shared recordings showing the militiaman's apprehension after verification that he was behind the execution of numerous civilians close to el-Fasher.

Digital platform has verified that it has suspended the account linked to Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had operated the profile in his identity.

Sudan was plunged into a internal conflict in April 2023 when a brutal contest for control broke out between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.

It has resulted in a famine and accusations of genocide in the Darfur area.

In excess of 150,000 people have been killed in the conflict around the country, and about 12 million have fled their residences in what the UN has described as the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

The capture of el-Fasher solidifies the territorial division in the country, with the RSF now in command of Sudan's west and significant areas of bordering Kordofan to the south, and the military holding the main city, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.

The two warring rivals had been collaborators - coming to power together in a takeover in 2021 - but disagreed over an globally supported proposal to move towards democratic governance.

Tiffany Ray
Tiffany Ray

A gemologist and luxury jewelry expert with over 15 years of industry experience, specializing in rare diamonds and sustainable sourcing.