Over 60,000 Flee Sudanese City After Takeover by RSF Paramilitary Group, UN Reports

Displaced people fleeing violence in Sudan
Many are trying to get to the settlement of Tawila but encounter intimidation, demands for money and mistreatment from militiamen along the way

Per the UNHCR, more than 60,000 civilians have left the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the militia Rapid Support Forces recently.

There have been multiple executions and crimes against humanity as militia members stormed the city following an extended encirclement characterized by famine and sustained attacks.

The exodus of those escaping the conflict towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, as stated by United Nations refugee agency representative.

They were describing terrible stories of violence, featuring rape, and the organization was finding it difficult to find sufficient accommodation and supplies for them.

Each child was experiencing nutritional deficiencies, she commented.

Estimates suggest that in excess of 150,000 people are still trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the army's last fortress in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has rejected extensive accusations that the killings in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and follow a pattern of the Arab fighters focusing on ethnic minorities.

However the RSF has arrested one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with summary executions.

The group shared recordings revealing the member's apprehension after confirmation that he was behind the death of numerous non-combatants in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Social media platform has verified that it has suspended the profile connected to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had managed the profile in his identity.

Sudan was thrown into a internal conflict in April 2023 after a brutal power struggle erupted between its military and the RSF.

It has caused a famine and allegations of genocide in the Darfur area.

In excess of 150,000 persons have been killed in the conflict throughout the country, and about 12 million have abandoned their residences in what the UN has called the world's largest humanitarian emergency.

The capture of el-Fasher solidifies the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of Sudan's west and a large portion of adjacent Kordofan to the southern area, and the military holding the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.

The opposing sides had been partners - taking over together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but disagreed over an internationally backed plan to advance to civilian leadership.

Sabrina Anderson
Sabrina Anderson

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