The United Nations Human Rights Office has issued a grave warning regarding escalating violence in el-Fasher, Sudan. Following the seizure of the city by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on October 26, 2023, reports indicate a significant increase in brutal attacks against civilians. Li Fung, the UN’s human rights representative in Sudan, described el-Fasher as a “city of grief,” noting that the past ten days have seen an alarming rise in violence affecting those who have already endured 18 months of conflict.
In a video message published on X, Fung stated, “Civilians who survived 18 months of siege and hostilities are now enduring atrocities of an unimaginable scale.” She reported that hundreds of people, including women and children, have been killed, with many others disappearing as they sought refuge. Hospitals and schools, previously considered safe havens, have become sites of violence.
As the humanitarian situation deteriorates, aid groups report that thousands of displaced individuals are facing dire conditions in the town of Tawila. Adam Rojal, spokesperson for Sudan’s IDPs and Refugee Camps aid group, informed the Associated Press that over 16,000 people have arrived in Tawila, with many requiring urgent assistance in food, medical care, and shelter. Video footage from the aid organization depicted families living in makeshift shelters, often constructed from patched tarps and sheets, while some families are surviving on just one meal per day.
The situation is compounded by alarming reports from Doctors Without Borders (MSF) indicating “extremely high levels of malnutrition among children and adults.” Mathilde Vu, advocacy manager for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), highlighted the distressing reality that many families arriving in Tawila include children who are not their own, signifying the loss of parents amid the chaos.
The RSF’s control over el-Fasher marks a significant shift, as it was the last stronghold of the Sudanese military in the western Darfur region. A report from Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab on October 28 documented evidence of mass killings, supported by satellite imagery showing pools of blood in the area. The International Organization for Migration estimates that approximately 82,000 people have fled el-Fasher and surrounding regions, seeking safety in Tawila, Kebkabiya, Melit, and Kutum. This exodus has transformed Tawila into a critical refuge, albeit one struggling to support the influx.
Volker Turk, the UN’s human rights chief, expressed deep concern for those still trapped in el-Fasher, stating that they are being prevented from leaving. He warned that “abominable atrocities such as summary executions, rape, and ethnically motivated violence are continuing within the city.”
As the humanitarian crisis escalates, the conflict has spread into the neighboring Kordofan region. In el-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, a drone attack earlier this week resulted in at least 40 deaths and numerous injuries. A military official revealed that the army intercepted two drones aimed at el-Obeid, intensifying fears of an RSF assault in the area. The RSF’s recent capture of Bara, located approximately 60 kilometers north of el-Obeid, has forced over 36,000 people to flee, further straining resources.
El-Obeid sits on a vital supply route linking Darfur and the capital Khartoum, approximately 400 kilometers away. Control over this city would provide a strategic advantage for the RSF, which has been engaged in conflict with Sudan’s army since April 2023.
The World Health Organization estimates that the ongoing conflict has claimed at least 40,000 lives, although aid groups suggest the true death toll may be significantly higher. Despite a ceasefire proposal from the Quad—comprising international mediators from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States—there are no indications of de-escalation. While the RSF responded positively to the proposal, violence continued with explosions reported in Khartoum and Atbara, indicating ongoing hostilities.
On November 4, Darfur Governor Minni Arko Minnawi stated that any ceasefire that does not ensure the RSF’s withdrawal would lead to the division of Sudan. The recent fall of el-Fasher has given the RSF control over all five state capitals in the Darfur region, effectively splitting the nation and raising the stakes for both humanitarian efforts and political stability in the region.
