More than 60,000 Flee Sudanese City After Seizure by RSF Militia, United Nations States

Displaced people fleeing violence in Sudan
Numerous are trying to get to the settlement of Tawila but face intimidation, extortion and abuse from militiamen during their journey

Per the UNHCR, more than 60,000 individuals have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the militia Rapid Support Forces over the weekend.

There have been summary killings and atrocities as paramilitary forces stormed the city following an extended encirclement characterized by food shortages and sustained attacks.

The exodus of those running from the fighting towards the town of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the recent days, per United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.

They were narrating horrendous stories of violence, such as sexual violence, and the humanitarian group was finding it difficult to locate sufficient housing and supplies for them.

Each child was experiencing malnutrition, she noted.

Calculations indicate that over 150,000 people are currently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the army's final stronghold in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has rejected broad allegations that the executions in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and mirror a pattern of the Arab fighters attacking non-Arab communities.

Yet the RSF has custodied one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in extrajudicial killings.

The force distributed footage showing the militiaman's arrest subsequent to identification that he was behind the killing of several non-combatants near el-Fasher.

Digital platform has verified that it has banned the account connected to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had managed the profile in his name.

Sudan was plunged into a internal conflict in April 2023 following a vicious power struggle broke out between its army and the RSF.

It has led to a famine and accusations of ethnic cleansing in the western Darfur region.

Over 150,000 individuals have lost their lives in the war throughout the country, and about 12 million have fled their homes in what the UN has described as the world's largest humanitarian emergency.

The takeover of el-Fasher strengthens the territorial division in the country, with the RSF now in control of western Sudan and a large portion of bordering Kordofan to the south, and the army controlling the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.

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

Craig Watson
Craig Watson

A seasoned travel writer and luxury lifestyle expert with over a decade of experience exploring opulent destinations and curating elite experiences.

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