Massacres are ongoing in the Sudanese city of El Fasher following the recent takeover by rebel forces, ending an 18-month siege and raising concerns about a severe humanitarian crisis. The reported killings occurred after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized the army’s headquarters, solidifying control over Sudan’s vast western region of Darfur. Satellite imagery indicates the presence of bodies in the streets, with an estimated hundreds more casualties, although disrupted communication and limited refugee reports complicate the assessment of the situation.
Aid workers and officials express apprehension for those who managed to escape the city, particularly women, children, and the elderly, who face dangers such as extortion, rape, and violence during their perilous journey. The UN’s under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief, Tom Fletcher, emphasized the urgent need for action to address the dire levels of human suffering in El Fasher and Darfur. The UN has labeled Sudan’s ongoing civil war, characterized by widespread atrocities and displacement of millions, as the largest humanitarian crisis globally.
Fletcher highlighted the failure of protection as the core issue in the Sudan crisis and stressed the responsibility to uphold international law. Concerns have been raised by aid groups and activists regarding the potential for ethnic violence as the RSF gained dominance, tracing its origins to the Janjaweed militia responsible for genocide in Darfur in the early 2000s. The unfolding events in El Fasher evoke past horrors experienced in Darfur, with a noticeable lack of global response and a sense of apathy, according to Fletcher.
Individual accounts of loss and fear have emerged, such as Nadia Taha’s distress over losing contact with her uncle and relatives in El Fasher, and her brother’s tragic death at the hands of RSF forces. Despite the RSF’s denial of civilian harm, allegations persist, including fresh claims from the World Health Organization regarding fatalities at El Fasher’s Saudi Hospital. RSF commander Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo acknowledged abuses by his forces and pledged accountability through an ongoing investigation.
The UAE’s reported support for the RSF has raised concerns, with suspicions of weapon supplies and allegations of aggression in Sudan. The UAE’s representative to the UN announced a substantial humanitarian aid package, while Sudan’s UN Ambassador criticized the Security Council for failing to address the situation effectively. Displaced individuals are embarking on arduous journeys to seek safety, facing immense challenges and risks along the way as they flee violence and seek refuge in neighboring regions. Satellite evidence and reports indicate systematic killings and ethnic cleansing in El Fasher, underscoring the severity of the crisis.