In excess of 60,000 Run from Sudanese City After Takeover by RSF Militia, UN States

Refugees escaping conflict in Sudan
Many are trying to get to the town of Tawila but experience intimidation, extortion and mistreatment from armed men along the way

According to the United Nations refugee organization, over 60,000 individuals have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was captured by the militia Rapid Support Forces over the weekend.

Reports indicate mass executions and crimes against humanity as paramilitary forces took control of the city following an year-and-a-half siege featuring starvation and heavy bombardment.

The flow of those escaping the violence towards the town of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the past few days, per United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.

Refugees were describing shocking stories of violence, including sexual violence, and the organization was finding it difficult to secure sufficient shelter and supplies for them.

Each child was affected by undernourishment, she noted.

Calculations indicate that more than 150,000 people are currently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's remaining stronghold in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has denied extensive accusations that the killings in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and follow a pattern of the Arab paramilitaries targeting non-Arab populations.

However the paramilitary group has custodied one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in on-the-spot executions.

The group released video showing the militiaman's arrest subsequent to confirmation that he was behind the execution of several unarmed men close to el-Fasher.

Digital platform has verified that it has banned the channel connected to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had managed the account in his identity.

Sudan was thrown into a internal conflict in April 2023 following a brutal power struggle began between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.

The conflict has resulted in a famine and allegations of mass killing in the western Darfur region.

More than 150,000 people have been killed in the fighting around the country, and approximately 12 million have left their dwellings in what the United Nations has described as the biggest global humanitarian crisis.

The seizure of el-Fasher solidifies the geographic split in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in control of the western region and much of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the army controlling the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the Red Sea.

The two warring rivals had been partners - gaining control together in a coup in 2021 - but fell out over an internationally backed plan to move towards civilian rule.

Valerie Palmer
Valerie Palmer

Full-stack developer with over a decade of experience in JavaScript, React, and Node.js, passionate about teaching and open-source projects.