More than 36,000 Sudanese citizens have fled after capture of El Fasher to RSF, states UN agency

In excess of 36,000 individuals have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan area eastern part of Darfur starting Saturday, as reported by the UN's immigration body.

The key central region connecting the country's Darfur areas and the Khartoum-Riverine area has over recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the extended civil war between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary forces.

Significant Exodus Numbers

An estimated 36,825 people escaped five localities in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.

The people, primarily walking, traveled to Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently housing more than 652,000 evacuated individuals.

Increased Forces Deployment

Residents of North Kordofan on Monday noted a significant increase in both RSF and army presence across urban and rural areas throughout the state.

Both armed factions are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a critical supply and command hub that connects Darfur to Khartoum.

"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," said an RSF member in a recently circulated video statement.

Local Residents Report Security Concerns

A resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the quantity of RSF vehicles had risen considerably since the group's seizure of El Fasher.

"We discontinued traveling to our farms, concerned about confrontations," the individual stated.

Another resident, who sought confidentiality for security reasons, also indicated that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the previous fortnight.

Global Warnings and Requests

A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "large-scale atrocities" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.

The official cautioned about patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.

The religious leader on Sunday appealed for an quick cessation of hostilities and the creation of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher and declared that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the paramilitary group.

The diplomat further urged the global community to classify the group as a terrorist entity.

Virginia Casey
Virginia Casey

A seasoned strategist with over a decade of experience in management consulting and tactical planning.