UN Warns of Imminent Atrocities in El Fasher as Siege Tightens

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating violence in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, Sudan, citing an "imminent risk of large-scale atrocities" against civilians. The city has been under siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for over 500 days, and recent fighting has intensified, resulting in significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction of infrastructure.

Escalating Violence and Civilian Casualties

Between September 19th and 29th, at least 91 civilians were killed in El Fasher due to artillery shelling, drone strikes, and ground incursions, according to UN reports. The attacks have deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure, including residential areas and displacement camps, raising serious concerns about the RSF's intentions.

“The situation in El Fasher is catastrophic. The deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, coupled with the ongoing siege, points to a blatant disregard for international humanitarian law,” stated Türk in a press release. He emphasized the vulnerability of civilians remaining in the city, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses, who are particularly at risk.

Fears of Forcible Displacement and Ethnic Targeting

The UN is particularly alarmed by the targeting of the Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), raising fears that the RSF aims to forcibly displace the population. Türk also warned of the potential for ethnically motivated abuses, drawing parallels to the atrocities witnessed in the Zamzam camp, another IDP settlement in Darfur.

Dr. Suliman Baldo, a Senior Policy Advisor at the Enough Project, a Washington-based organization working to end genocide and crimes against humanity, echoed these concerns. “The siege of El Fasher is not simply a military tactic; it is a deliberate strategy to terrorize the civilian population and potentially alter the demographic landscape of the region,” he explained. “The international community must act decisively to prevent another Darfur-style genocide.”

Historical Context and Current Crisis in Sudan

The current conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). The power struggle between the two generals has plunged the country into a humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and facing severe food insecurity.

Darfur, in particular, has a long and troubled history of conflict. The region was the site of a brutal genocide in the early 2000s, where government forces and allied militias, including the Janjaweed (from which the RSF evolved), targeted non-Arab ethnic groups. The current fighting has reignited ethnic tensions and raised fears of a repeat of past atrocities.

The strategic importance of El Fasher lies in its location as a key transportation hub and its role as the last major city in Darfur not under RSF control. Its fall would give the RSF a significant advantage in the region and further destabilize the country.

Call for Humanitarian Access and Lifting of the Siege

The UN is urging all parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and allow unimpeded humanitarian access to El Fasher. The siege is preventing the delivery of essential supplies, including food, water, and medicine, leaving the civilian population in dire straits.

“The international community must exert maximum pressure on the RSF to lift the siege of El Fasher and allow humanitarian agencies to reach those in need,” urged Türk. “Failure to do so will have catastrophic consequences for the civilian population and could further destabilize the entire region.”

Analysts at the International Crisis Group have also emphasized the need for a coordinated international response. "A unified diplomatic effort, involving the African Union, the United Nations, and key regional actors, is crucial to de-escalate the conflict and prevent further atrocities," they stated in a recent briefing. "This requires not only condemning the violence but also imposing targeted sanctions on those responsible for human rights abuses and obstructing humanitarian access."

The situation in El Fasher remains precarious. The international community faces a critical test in its ability to protect civilians and prevent another large-scale tragedy in Darfur.