Over 60,000 Escape Sudanese City Following Capture by RSF Militia, United Nations Reports

Refugees fleeing violence in Sudan
Numerous seek to reach the settlement of Tawila but encounter intimidation, demands for money and mistreatment from fighters along the way

As stated by the UNHCR, over 60,000 civilians have left the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the militia Rapid Support Forces during the weekend.

There have been multiple executions and human rights violations as militia members stormed the city following an year-and-a-half blockade characterized by food shortages and heavy bombardment.

The movement of those escaping the fighting towards the town of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had grown in the past few days, as stated by UNHCR spokesperson.

Survivors were telling shocking tales of abuses, featuring sexual violence, and the agency was having trouble to locate adequate housing and nourishment for them.

All children was experiencing malnutrition, she added.

It is estimated that over 150,000 individuals are presently unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the army's last stronghold in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has disputed broad claims that the deaths in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and mirror a trend of the Arab militia groups attacking non-Arab populations.

However the RSF has custodied one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of on-the-spot executions.

The organization shared recordings showing the member's arrest after confirmation that he was involved in the death of several unarmed men close to el-Fasher.

Video sharing service has verified that it has banned the account connected to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had operated the account in his identity.

Sudan was thrown into a civil war in April 2023 when a intense contest for control began between its military and the RSF.

It has led to a famine and allegations of mass killing in the Darfur area.

More than 150,000 persons have lost their lives in the war throughout the country, and roughly 12 million have left their homes in what the UN has called the biggest global humanitarian emergency.

The seizure of el-Fasher reinforces the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in command of the western region and significant areas of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the army controlling the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.

The opposing sides had been collaborators - taking over together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but disagreed over an globally supported initiative to move towards democratic governance.

Stephen Soto
Stephen Soto

Elara Vance is a linguist and storyteller with a passion for exploring how words shape our world and inspire creativity in everyday life.