More than 60,000 Escape Sudan's City In the wake of Takeover by RSF Militia, UN Reports

Displaced people escaping conflict in Sudan
Numerous are attempting to reach the settlement of Tawila but face harassment, demands for money and abuse from armed men along the way

According to the United Nations refugee organization, in excess of 60,000 individuals have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was seized by the militia RSF over the weekend.

Accounts suggest summary killings and atrocities as RSF fighters took control of the city after an year-and-a-half siege featuring famine and intense shelling.

The movement of those escaping the violence towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the recent days, according to United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.

Survivors were narrating horrendous tales of atrocities, such as sexual violence, and the agency was having trouble to locate enough shelter and food for them.

Every child was experiencing undernourishment, she added.

Estimates suggest that in excess of 150,000 individuals are still stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the military's final bastion in the western region of Darfur.

The RSF has rejected broad accusations that the killings in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and follow a pattern of the Arab paramilitaries attacking non-Arab communities.

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

The organization distributed footage depicting the member's arrest after identification that he was responsible for the execution of multiple unarmed men close to el-Fasher.

Social media platform has verified that it has banned the profile linked to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had controlled the account in his name.

Sudan was plunged into a domestic fighting in April 2023 when a brutal contest for control began between its army and the RSF.

This has resulted in a famine and allegations of ethnic cleansing in the Darfur area.

In excess of 150,000 individuals have died in the fighting throughout the country, and approximately 12 million have left their dwellings in what the UN has called the world's largest humanitarian emergency.

The seizure of el-Fasher strengthens the geographic split in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of Sudan's west and significant areas of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the army controlling the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the Red Sea.

The competing factions had been collaborators - gaining control together in a coup in 2021 - but disagreed over an globally supported plan to advance to civilian rule.

Sandra Lowe
Sandra Lowe

An environmental scientist and avid hiker who shares practical guides on eco-friendly living and wilderness exploration.