As the humanitarian crisis in Sudan escalates, the international community watches with growing concern. The recent seizure of el-Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has raised alarms about the safety of civilians caught in a conflict that has already displaced millions. With calls for immediate humanitarian access and protection for civilians gaining urgency, the situation in Sudan serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by populations in conflict zones seeking safety and refuge.
The United Nations has urgently called for the protection and safe passage of countless civilians in Sudan’s el-Fasher, as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group claims control of the beleaguered city. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher raised alarms on Monday regarding reports of civilian casualties and forced displacements in the capital of North Darfur state.
For almost 18 months, the RSF has laid siege to el-Fasher, aiming to wrest control from the Sudanese army’s last stronghold in the expansive western region of Darfur. The ongoing fighting has trapped around 250,000 civilians, sending hundreds of thousands more fleeing their homes. Fletcher described the dire conditions facing the trapped population: “With fighters pushing further into the city and escape routes cut off, hundreds of thousands are trapped and terrified—shelled, starving, and without access to healthcare, food, or safety.” He urged for unrestricted humanitarian access and safe exits for civilians amidst the chaos, advocating a ceasefire in El Fasher, Darfur, and across Sudan.
On the same day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of a “terrible escalation,” stating the humanitarian situation in Sudan, where civil war has raged since April 2023, is becoming “unbearable.” He also called upon nations that may be exacerbating the conflict or supplying arms to halt these actions, as they undermine potential ceasefire efforts.
The capture of el-Fasher represents a potential pivotal moment in Sudan’s civil war, which has thus far resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, displaced approximately 12 million individuals, and left around 30 million in need of assistance, marking it as one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Hiba Morgan, reporting from the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, noted that control over el-Fasher would solidify the RSF’s influence throughout Darfur, potentially granting them greater autonomy.
Despite the RSF’s assurances of civilian protection, they have faced accusations of committing atrocities in el-Fasher, with the Sudan Doctors Network reporting killings of unarmed civilians based on ethnic affiliations. Their claims indicate that casualties exceed dozens, though access to affected areas remains challenging due to the security collapse precipitated by RSF actions.
Minni Minnawi, governor of Darfur and allied with Sudan’s army, has called for the protection of civilians from the advancing RSF and urged for an independent investigation into the alleged violations and massacres attributed to the paramilitary group. In contrast, the Sudanese official news agency SUNA quoted Information Minister Khaled al-Aisir as dismissing the RSF’s advancement claims, deeming them a form of “psychological warfare” and asserting that the rebellion has been decisively defeated in many areas.
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