Starvation, violence, and terror have marked the latest chapter in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, as civilians recount harrowing experiences after fleeing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in western Darfur. Thousands remain missing, while reports of killings, sexual assault, and other abuses continue to emerge following the RSF’s capture of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.
El-Fasher was the last stronghold of the Sudanese army in the region. After enduring an 18-month siege, it fell to the RSF on Sunday, intensifying fears for the safety of the region’s population. The United Nations and international aid organizations have warned of a growing humanitarian catastrophe, as survivors share stories of unimaginable brutality.
Alkheir Ismail, a young Sudanese man who escaped to Tawila, some 50 kilometers away, described how RSF fighters intercepted a group of 300 people trying to flee. He survived only because a former classmate intervened. “There was a young man I studied with at the university in Khartoum. He told them, ‘Don’t kill him.’ After that, they killed the rest of my friends and the youths with me,” Alkheir recounted.
Read More: Gaza Residents Fear for Safety as Ceasefire Hopes Fade After Week of Bombings
Other survivors told similar stories of fear and violence. Tahani Hassan said, “All of a sudden they showed up. Three young men shot in the air and told us to stop. They hit us hard and threw our clothes on the ground. Even I, a woman, was searched. The attacker could have been younger than my daughter.”
Fatima Abdulrahim, who fled with her grandchildren, walked for five days under harsh conditions. “They beat the boys and took everything we owned. After we arrived, we learned that other girls in groups who followed us had been raped, but our girls escaped,” she said. Meanwhile, Rawaa Abdalla shared that her father is still missing. “We don’t know if he’s alive, dead, or injured,” she said.
On Wednesday night, RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo urged fighters to protect civilians and promised that violations would be prosecuted. On Thursday, the RSF announced arrests of several fighters accused of abuses. However, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher expressed skepticism about the group’s willingness to genuinely investigate the violations.
High-level RSF officials dismissed the reports as “media exaggeration” by the army and its allies, claiming they were attempting to cover up their loss of El-Fasher, according to Reuters. Both the RSF and Sudanese army have faced ongoing war crimes accusations, as the conflict has killed tens of thousands, displaced roughly 14 million people, and created what the UN describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Famine is widespread, and outbreaks of cholera and other diseases are increasing.
Mass Displacement and Starvation
More than 62,000 people fled El-Fasher between Sunday and Wednesday, according to the UN. Previously, the city had a population of around 260,000. Aid agencies estimate that just over 5,000 people managed to reach Tawila during this period.
“Based on what patients tell us, the most likely answer is that they are being killed, blocked, and hunted down while trying to flee,” said Michel Olivier Lacharite, head of emergencies for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). He urged international mediators, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, to intervene urgently.
MSF reported that every child under five among the 70 new arrivals in Tawila on October 27 suffered from acute malnutrition, with 57 percent facing severe malnutrition. Survivors recounted being separated by gender, age, or ethnic identity, with many held for ransom ranging from 5 million to 30 million Sudanese pounds (roughly $8,000–$50,000). One witness described RSF fighters crushing prisoners with vehicles.
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which provides sexual and reproductive health support in Tawila, also received testimonies of horrific violence. A 24-year-old man described how only four out of 200 men, women, and children survived after paying ransoms at multiple RSF checkpoints. “The rest were killed—children, the elderly, and women. I cannot describe the scene. It was unbearable,” he said.
Other survivors reported sexual violence. A 19-year-old girl said she was raped by RSF fighters, while a 26-year-old woman said her husband was killed in front of her after only being able to pay a ransom for her and their children. The UNFPA confirmed at least 460 people were killed in the El-Fasher maternity hospital on October 29, including patients, visitors, displaced persons, and healthcare workers.
Escalation in Kordofan
The humanitarian crisis is spreading. In North Kordofan, over 36,000 people have fled the Bara locality after the RSF captured the town last week. North Kordofan is expected to become the next battleground, with the state capital El-Obeid still under army control.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric reported alleged executions of five Red Crescent volunteers and other sexual violence in Bara. Mohammed Elsheikh of the Sudan Doctors Network described the desperate conditions faced by those fleeing. “It is a long walk through unsafe roads under extreme environmental conditions—desert heat by day and freezing cold at night,” he said.
Bara has seen intense clashes, with RSF fighters making advances in surrounding areas. In July, attacks in North Kordofan villages killed nearly 300 people, including children and pregnant women, as homes were burned during the conflict.
A Dire Call for Intervention
The accounts of civilians fleeing El-Fasher highlight the urgency of international action. Aid organizations, including MSF and UN agencies, emphasize that the ongoing violence, famine, and disease outbreaks risk further catastrophe unless immediate humanitarian access and protective measures are enforced.
As the RSF continues to expand its control, the plight of civilians in Darfur underscores the broader human cost of Sudan’s conflict. Thousands remain unaccounted for, families are torn apart, and survivors recount trauma that will have long-lasting effects on the region. Without urgent intervention, the scale of death and displacement is expected to rise, further deepening Sudan’s humanitarian crisis.
The international community faces mounting pressure to hold perpetrators accountable, secure aid access, and prevent further atrocities in a conflict that shows no signs of abating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in El-Fasher, Sudan?
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized El-Fasher after an 18-month siege, leading to widespread civilian displacement and violence.
How many people are missing in Darfur?
Thousands of civilians remain missing following the RSF takeover, with many feared killed or detained.
What abuses have been reported by RSF fighters?
Survivors reported killings, sexual assault, starvation, ransoms, and brutal attacks, including targeting children and the elderly.
Where are the survivors fleeing to?
Many civilians fled to towns like Tawila and other safer locations in North Darfur, though conditions remain harsh.
What is the UN’s response to the crisis?
The UN has raised alarms, called for humanitarian access, and questioned RSF’s commitment to investigating abuses.
How has the conflict affected children in Darfur?
Children under five arriving in Tawila showed severe acute malnutrition, highlighting the growing humanitarian crisis.
Is the violence spreading beyond El-Fasher?
Yes, North Kordofan has seen similar attacks, with thousands fleeing towns like Bara as fighting escalates.
Conclusion
The RSF’s capture of El-Fasher has intensified Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, leaving thousands missing and survivors recounting unimaginable violence and abuse. With famine, disease, and displacement escalating across Darfur and North Kordofan, urgent international intervention is critical. Protecting civilians, ensuring aid access, and holding perpetrators accountable are essential to prevent further loss of life and stabilize the region. The crisis underscores the urgent need for global attention and sustained humanitarian support in Sudan.
