In excess of 60,000 Flee Sudan's City Following Capture by RSF Paramilitary Group, United Nations States

Displaced people escaping violence in the region
Many are trying to reach the town of Tawila but encounter intimidation, extortion and abuse from armed men during their journey

According to the UNHCR, more than 60,000 civilians have left the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces over the weekend.

There have been multiple executions and atrocities as militia members stormed the city following an year-and-a-half siege characterized by food shortages and sustained attacks.

The movement of those fleeing the conflict towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the recent days, as stated by United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.

Refugees were describing horrendous tales of atrocities, such as rape, and the agency was struggling to find enough accommodation and supplies for them.

Each child was suffering from undernourishment, she commented.

It is estimated that more than 150,000 residents are still stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the military's final bastion in the western part of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has rejected extensive allegations that the executions in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and mirror a pattern of the Arab fighters attacking ethnic minorities.

Yet the RSF has custodied one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of summary executions.

The force shared footage revealing the member's detention after verification that he was involved in the execution of numerous unarmed men in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Digital platform has verified that it has suspended the account linked to Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had operated the account in his identity.

Sudan was entered a internal conflict in April 2023 following a intense power struggle erupted between its military and the RSF.

This has led to a famine and allegations of ethnic cleansing in the western Sudan.

More than 150,000 persons have died in the fighting across the country, and roughly 12 million have left their homes in what the UN has termed the biggest global humanitarian crisis.

The capture of el-Fasher reinforces the geographic split in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in dominance of Sudan's west and much of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the army controlling the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.

The two warring rivals had been allies - coming to power together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but split over an globally supported proposal to move towards civilian leadership.

Sherry Roth
Sherry Roth

Energy economist with over a decade of experience in market analysis and sustainable power solutions.