Civilians in el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and its surrounding towns are facing dire humanitarian conditions as starvation grips these areas. For almost a year, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have imposed a siege, complicating efforts to deliver essential supplies. However, the coordinated resistance led by the Joint Forces, which comprises local armed factions supported by the Sudanese army, has prevented a full-scale invasion.
Approximately 500,000 civilians residing in the Zamzam camp, the largest refugee camp in North Darfur, are currently experiencing famine, as reported by the United Nations’ Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Residents of the camp have voiced their desperation, stating that although some food aid has been airdropped by the army, these supplies are expected to be exhausted soon.
Local leaders, such as Mohamed Khamis Doda, who represents the Zamzam camp, have called for urgent military intervention to ensure a steady flow of food, medicine, and humanitarian supplies for those trapped by the siege. In addition, there are increasing appeals for immediate involvement from humanitarian organizations to address this urgent crisis.
Since April 2023, the RSF has been engaged in a catastrophic civil conflict against Sudan’s army, which has contributed to what many describe as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The RSF rapidly seized control of four out of five Darfur states—South, East, West, and Central Darfur—leaving North Darfur as the final stronghold.
Compounding the humanitarian crisis are the alarming accusations against both the RSF and Sudan’s army regarding human rights violations. The UN reports that the RSF has been involved in particularly egregious acts, including sexual violence and the abduction of countless civilians. Many of these incidents have transpired in Darfur, highlighting the urgent need for local and international actors to prioritize humanitarian relief efforts.
A local expert on Sudan, Jawhara Kanu, has expressed concerns that the recent focus of the army on central and northern Sudan may lead to neglect of the humanitarian needs in Darfur. The army’s political will and resources to support Darfur’s civilians remain in question, raising fears that public sentiment in other regions of Sudan might influence military priorities, further endangering the welfare of the people in North Darfur.
On March 24, a tragic incident unfolded as army forces fired rockets at a market in Torra village during iftar, killing an estimated 350 people, many of whom were women and children. Civilian witnesses have expressed horror at the scale of the casualties, calling for accountability and a halt to further violence.
As the situation deteriorates, there are indications of increased RSF activities across North Darfur, including reported violent assaults on displacement camps and towns. Essential supply lines are becoming increasingly compromised, with the potential for further escalation of violence and humanitarian suffering.
Joint Forces leader Minni Minawi recently emphasized the need for dialogue amid ongoing hostilities. His statements have sparked public speculation about a possible agreement between the Joint Forces and the RSF, which could either mitigate bloodshed or exacerbate ethnic tensions in the region. Civilian communities fear that any such agreement might pave the way for violence against non-Arab populations, who see North Darfur as their ancestral land.
The current situation in North Darfur calls for immediate action from national and international stakeholders to ensure the safety and well-being of all civilians. Collaborative efforts must be prioritized to ensure that humanitarian supplies reach those in need while addressing the underlying political and social issues that have exacerbated this crisis.
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