A significant humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Sudan as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have reportedly captured the city of El-Fasher. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) estimates that more than 60,000 people have fled the city in the wake of its fall over the weekend.
Reports emerging from the region paint a grim picture, with accusations of mass executions and crimes against humanity leveled against the RSF. These brutal acts allegedly occurred as the fighters stormed El-Fasher, ending an 18-month siege characterized by widespread starvation and intense bombardment.
Eujin Byun, representing the UNHCR, shared with the BBC that an increasing number of individuals are attempting to reach Tawila, a town situated approximately 80 kilometers west of El-Fasher. These displaced individuals are recounting horrific experiences, including instances of rape. Byun highlighted the immense challenges the agency faces in providing adequate shelter and resources to support the overwhelming number of people arriving.
The situation is particularly dire for children, with reports indicating widespread malnutrition among them. El-Fasher was considered the army’s last major stronghold in the western Darfur region, and it is believed that over 150,000 people remain trapped within the city.
The RSF has issued denials regarding allegations of ethnic motivations behind the violence and a pattern of targeting non-Arab populations. However, the group has reportedly detained one of its own militiamen, identified as Abu Lulu, who is accused of summary executions. BBC Verify played a role in identifying Lulu as allegedly responsible for the execution of several unarmed men near El-Fasher, with footage of his arrest subsequently being shared by the RSF.
TikTok has confirmed that it has removed the account associated with Lulu, though it remains unclear if he personally managed the account. The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023 with a power struggle between the army and the RSF, has tragically led to famine and accusations of genocide, particularly in the Darfur region. The UN has described the ongoing crisis as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 150,000 deaths and 12 million people displaced.
The fall of El-Fasher further entrenches the division within Sudan, with the RSF now controlling western Sudan and parts of Kordofan, while the army maintains control over the capital, Khartoum, and eastern regions. The two factions, who were once allies that came to power together in a 2021 coup, fractured over plans for a transition to civilian rule.
Additional reporting by Merlyn Thomas.