More than 60,000 Flee Sudanese City After Takeover by RSF Paramilitary Group, United Nations States

Refugees fleeing conflict in Sudan
Many seek to reach the town of Tawila but encounter harassment, extortion and abuse from militiamen along the way

As stated by the UN refugee agency, more than 60,000 individuals have escaped the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was seized by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces during the weekend.

Accounts suggest summary killings and crimes against humanity as militia members stormed the city following an 18-month blockade marked by famine and heavy bombardment.

The movement of those fleeing the conflict towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the last several days, as stated by United Nations refugee agency representative.

Refugees were telling terrible tales of violence, such as sexual violence, and the organization was struggling to locate enough accommodation and food for them.

Every child was affected by nutritional deficiencies, she noted.

Estimates suggest that over 150,000 individuals are still stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's remaining fortress in the western region of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has disputed broad accusations that the killings in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and follow a practice of the Arab fighters focusing on non-Arab populations.

Yet the RSF has arrested one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with extrajudicial killings.

The organization shared footage depicting the fighter's detention subsequent to confirmation that he was behind the death of multiple unarmed men in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Digital platform has verified that it has banned the channel linked to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had controlled the account in his name.

Sudan was plunged into a domestic fighting in April 2023 when a vicious contest for control erupted between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.

It has caused a famine and allegations of ethnic cleansing in the western Sudan.

In excess of 150,000 people have lost their lives in the war around the country, and about 12 million have abandoned their residences in what the UN has termed the world's largest humanitarian emergency.

The takeover of el-Fasher strengthens the geographic split in the country, with the RSF now in control of Sudan's west and a large portion of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the army occupying the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.

The two warring rivals had been collaborators - taking over together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but disagreed over an globally supported proposal to move towards civilian rule.

Wayne Salinas
Wayne Salinas

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