The United Nations has issued a pressing call for safe passage for civilians trapped in the Sudanese city of El-Fasher. This plea comes after paramilitary fighters announced their seizure of the army’s primary base in the city. The Sudanese military has yet to confirm the loss of the base, a development that would represent a significant victory for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing civil war.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the recent fighting as a “terrible escalation” of the conflict, highlighting the “unbearable” suffering of the civilian population, according to AFP news agency.
El-Fasher, the last remaining army stronghold in the expansive western region of Darfur, has been under siege by the RSF and its allies for the past 18 months. Intense fighting erupted on Saturday, following the capture of the North Darfur governor’s residence by RSF fighters. Verified videos circulating on social media show RSF combatants celebrating their alleged full control of the city, although local army allies report that fighting continues in certain parts of El-Fasher.
The RSF has been accused of deliberately targeting civilians with airstrikes and creating a blockade around the city, reportedly encircling it with an earth wall and trapping approximately 250,000 people, many of whom are now facing starvation.
The city has become a focal point of the devastating civil war in Sudan, with the UN labeling it an “epicentre of suffering.” Tom Fletcher, the UN’s top humanitarian official, expressed deep alarm over the reported civilian casualties. He stated, “With fighters pushing further into the city and escape routes cut off, hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped and terrified – shelled, starving, and without access to food, healthcare, or safety.” Fletcher emphasized the critical need for “civilians to be allowed safe passage and be able to access aid.”
The United States has echoed these calls for safe passage and is actively involved in efforts to negotiate a ceasefire.
The potential capture of El-Fasher would mark a significant strategic gain for the RSF, particularly after facing setbacks in Khartoum. However, it is also seen as an indicator that the civil war is likely to persist rather than conclude.
Sudan has been gripped by conflict since 2023, following a power struggle that erupted between the top commanders of the RSF and the Sudanese army. The war has resulted in over 150,000 fatalities and has displaced around 12 million people, contributing to one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
While the Sudanese army maintains control over much of the north and east, El-Fasher was the last major urban center in Darfur under government and allied forces’ control. The RSF, conversely, exerts dominance over almost all of Darfur and a substantial portion of the neighboring Kordofan region. The RSF has previously indicated its intention to establish a rival government in El-Fasher upon gaining complete control.
Additional reporting by Natasha Booty, Damian Zane, Danai Nesta Kupemba, and Peter Mwai