In excess of 60,000 Escape Sudanese City After Capture by RSF Militia, United Nations States

Displaced people escaping violence in the region
Numerous are trying to get to the town of Tawila but experience intimidation, demands for money and mistreatment from militiamen along the way

Per the UNHCR, in excess of 60,000 people have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was seized by the paramilitary RSF during the weekend.

Reports indicate multiple executions and human rights violations as paramilitary forces took control of the city following an 18-month siege marked by food shortages and heavy bombardment.

The exodus of those fleeing the fighting towards the community of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had grown in the past few days, according to United Nations refugee agency representative.

Survivors were telling horrendous accounts of violence, including sexual violence, and the organization was finding it difficult to locate enough accommodation and nourishment for them.

Every child was experiencing malnutrition, she commented.

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

The RSF has denied broad allegations that the deaths in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and resemble a trend of the Arab paramilitaries attacking non-Arab populations.

Yet the paramilitary group has custodied one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with extrajudicial killings.

The organization shared recordings showing the member's arrest after verification that he was involved in the death of multiple non-combatants in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Video sharing service has acknowledged that it has suspended the account associated with Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had managed the account in his name.

Sudan was thrown into a internal conflict in April 2023 following a intense contest for control broke out between its military and the RSF.

It has resulted in a food crisis and allegations of mass killing in the western Darfur region.

More than 150,000 persons have lost their lives in the fighting around the country, and approximately 12 million have left their residences in what the United Nations has termed the most extensive humanitarian crisis.

The capture of el-Fasher strengthens the territorial division in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of the western region and much of neighbouring Kordofan to the southern area, and the army occupying the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the Red Sea.

The competing factions had been partners - taking over together in a takeover in 2021 - but split over an globally supported initiative to move towards democratic governance.

Bethany Austin
Bethany Austin

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