More than 60,000 Escape Sudan's City After Takeover by RSF Militia, United Nations Reports

Displaced people escaping conflict in the region
Many seek to reach the settlement of Tawila but experience intimidation, extortion and mistreatment from fighters along the way

As stated by the UN refugee agency, in excess of 60,000 people have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was seized by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces over the weekend.

There have been mass executions and human rights violations as militia members took control of the city following an year-and-a-half blockade marked by food shortages and sustained attacks.

The exodus of those fleeing the violence towards the town of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the recent days, according to United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.

They were telling horrendous tales of violence, featuring sexual violence, and the organization was struggling to locate adequate shelter and nourishment for them.

Each child was affected by malnutrition, she noted.

It is estimated that over 150,000 individuals are presently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the military's remaining bastion in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has rejected extensive accusations that the executions in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and resemble a pattern of the Arab fighters attacking ethnic minorities.

Nevertheless the paramilitary group has detained one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of extrajudicial killings.

The group released video depicting the member's detention after confirmation that he was responsible for the killing of multiple civilians in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Social media platform has confirmed that it has banned the channel associated with Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had managed the account in his identity.

Sudan was thrown into a domestic fighting in April 2023 after a intense contest for control began between its military and the Rapid Support Forces.

This has resulted in a starvation emergency and accusations of genocide in the western Darfur region.

In excess of 150,000 persons have been killed in the fighting around the country, and about 12 million have fled their residences in what the United Nations has described as the biggest global humanitarian emergency.

The seizure of el-Fasher strengthens the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of Sudan's west and a large portion of neighbouring Kordofan to the southern area, and the army controlling the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the coastal region.

The two warring rivals had been partners - gaining control together in a takeover in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported initiative to move towards democratic governance.

Jermaine Oconnor
Jermaine Oconnor

Lena is a passionate writer and traveler who shares her adventures and life lessons through engaging blog posts.