Over 60,000 Escape Sudan's City Following Takeover by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, United Nations States

Displaced people fleeing conflict in Sudan
Many are attempting to get to the settlement of Tawila but face harassment, extortion and mistreatment from fighters along the way

As stated by the United Nations refugee organization, in excess of 60,000 individuals have left the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces recently.

Reports indicate mass executions and crimes against humanity as militia members stormed the city after an extended siege marked by famine and heavy bombardment.

The movement of those fleeing the fighting towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had grown in the last several days, per UNHCR spokesperson.

Refugees were describing terrible tales of atrocities, featuring rape, and the agency was finding it difficult to find enough shelter and nourishment for them.

All children was affected by undernourishment, she added.

It is estimated that more than 150,000 individuals are presently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the military's last stronghold in the western region of Darfur.

The RSF has rejected extensive accusations that the killings in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and follow a trend of the Arab fighters focusing on non-Arab populations.

Nevertheless the RSF has detained one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with extrajudicial killings.

The organization distributed video revealing the fighter's apprehension after identification that he was behind the death of numerous non-combatants near el-Fasher.

Digital platform has verified that it has banned the profile connected to Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had operated the profile in his name.

Sudan was plunged into a civil war in April 2023 following a intense power struggle broke out between its military and the RSF.

This has resulted in a famine and accusations of ethnic cleansing in the Darfur area.

More than 150,000 individuals have lost their lives in the war across the country, and about 12 million have abandoned their residences in what the United Nations has termed the most extensive humanitarian crisis.

The seizure of el-Fasher solidifies the territorial division in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of Sudan's west and significant areas of bordering Kordofan to the south, and the military controlling the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.

The competing factions had been collaborators - coming to power together in a takeover in 2021 - but split over an internationally backed proposal to transition to civilian leadership.

Timothy Morales
Timothy Morales

A technology strategist with over a decade of experience in IT consulting and digital innovation, Elena specializes in helping businesses leverage technology for growth.