In excess of 60,000 Run from Sudan's City Following Takeover by RSF Paramilitary Group, United Nations States

Refugees escaping conflict in Sudan
Many seek to get to the settlement of Tawila but face intimidation, demands for money and abuse from armed men during their journey

Per the UN refugee agency, more than 60,000 civilians have left the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces recently.

There have been multiple executions and human rights violations as RSF fighters stormed the city following an 18-month encirclement marked by food shortages and intense shelling.

The flow of those escaping the violence towards the community of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, as stated by UNHCR spokesperson.

They were narrating terrible stories of abuses, including rape, and the humanitarian group was struggling to locate sufficient shelter and supplies for them.

Each child was affected by undernourishment, she commented.

Estimates suggest that in excess of 150,000 people are presently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's last fortress in the western region of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has denied broad claims that the executions in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and resemble a trend of the Arab fighters attacking ethnic minorities.

However the RSF has arrested one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in summary executions.

The force released footage revealing the member's arrest subsequent to confirmation that he was involved in the killing of multiple civilians near el-Fasher.

Digital platform has confirmed that it has banned the account associated with Lulu. It is not clear whether he had operated the profile in his name.

Sudan was plunged into a civil war in April 2023 after a brutal contest for control erupted between its military and the Rapid Support Forces.

It has resulted in a food crisis and accusations of genocide in the western Darfur region.

More than 150,000 persons have lost their lives in the conflict throughout the country, and about 12 million have fled their dwellings in what the UN has termed the world's largest humanitarian emergency.

The takeover of el-Fasher solidifies the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in command of Sudan's west and much of neighbouring Kordofan to the southern area, and the military occupying the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the coastal region.

The two warring rivals had been partners - taking over together in a takeover in 2021 - but fell out over an foreign-endorsed initiative to move towards civilian rule.

Ruth Davis
Ruth Davis

A digital artist and designer with over 8 years of experience specializing in vector graphics and creative visual storytelling.