El-fasher: The fall of El-Fasher to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) - the last stronghold for the Sudanese Army in Darfur - on October 26 has resulted in a grave humanitarian crisis characterized by hunger, mass graves, and serious human rights violations, necessitating immediate international investigation. The RSF's actions have led to thousands being displaced as they flee their homes to seek refuge, amidst allegations of multiple crimes committed by the forces.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the RSF has acknowledged "limited violations" and has promised to conduct an internal investigation, although this lacks independent verification. In response to the worsening situation, the UN Human Rights Council announced plans to hold an urgent meeting on November 14 to address the crisis in El-Fasher. This decision came after 50 nations, including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway, requested the meeting due to reports of severe violations.
Informed sources in Geneva disclosed to KUNA that while no draft resolution has been tabled yet, the UK might propose one in the coming days. On November 7, UN experts expressed their shock at the gross human rights violations and crimes documented in El-Fasher. Their report highlighted that civilians were specifically targeted in hospitals and displacement centers, with an attack on Al-Saudi hospital resulting in the deaths of 460 patients and civilians.
Furthermore, the Yale School of Public Health's Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) released a recent report detailing satellite evidence of mass killings and graves in El-Fasher, corroborated by eyewitness testimonies. Saleh Mahmoud, head of the lawyers' authority in Darfur, stated that the events in El-Fasher constitute crimes against humanity and genocide. He emphasized the need for the UN and the international community to protect civilians and establish a humanitarian corridor, which has yet to materialize, leading to ongoing suffering.
Mahmoud warned of the potential for the conflict to escalate into a civil war with tribal dimensions, stressing the importance of halting acts of vengeance and holding perpetrators accountable. Journalist Amir Babakr echoed these concerns, noting that the RSF's capture of El-Fasher has serious implications for future political transition efforts, potentially leading to the RSF's exclusion.
The RSF's control of El-Fasher has also expanded the conflict eastward, particularly in North Kordofan State, displacing approximately 36,000 civilians according to the International Migration Organization (IOM). In addition to El-Fasher, military deployments by both the army and the RSF have been reported in the cities of Barah and El-Obeid, with allegations of violations and ethnic cleansing by the RSF on October 25.
El-Obeid is strategically significant as it links Khartoum to Darfur, and with the RSF now in control, critical military supply routes are under their command. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global initiative involving several UN agencies, has confirmed that prolonged siege conditions have exacerbated hunger in El-Fasher, affecting 357,000 people in the city and Kordofan since September.