More than 60,000 Flee Sudan's City Following Takeover by RSF Militia, United Nations States

Displaced people fleeing violence in the region
Numerous seek to get to the settlement of Tawila but encounter intimidation, extortion and abuse from militiamen along the way

Per the UNHCR, over 60,000 people have escaped the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary RSF over the weekend.

There have been summary killings and atrocities as paramilitary forces stormed the city after an extended encirclement featuring starvation and sustained attacks.

The exodus of those escaping the violence towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, according to UNHCR spokesperson.

They were narrating shocking tales of violence, including rape, and the agency was having trouble to find enough accommodation and supplies for them.

Every child was suffering from nutritional deficiencies, she commented.

Estimates suggest that in excess of 150,000 people are presently unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the military's last bastion in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has disputed broad accusations that the deaths in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and resemble a pattern of the Arab militia groups attacking ethnic minorities.

Yet the RSF has arrested one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with summary executions.

The group released video showing the militiaman's detention following confirmation that he was behind the death of multiple non-combatants in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Video sharing service has confirmed that it has suspended the profile associated with Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had controlled the profile in his name.

Sudan was entered a civil war in April 2023 following a brutal power struggle broke out between its army and the RSF.

The conflict has caused a starvation emergency and allegations of ethnic cleansing in the Darfur area.

Over 150,000 persons have lost their lives in the war throughout the country, and approximately 12 million have abandoned their homes in what the United Nations has described as the most extensive humanitarian crisis.

The capture of el-Fasher reinforces the territorial division in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in dominance of the western region and a large portion of bordering Kordofan to the south, and the army controlling the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the Red Sea.

The opposing sides had been partners - taking over together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but split over an internationally backed proposal to advance to civilian leadership.

Anthony Johnson
Anthony Johnson

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