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 about the escalating violence in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, Sudan, citing a high risk of large-scale atrocities against civilians. The city, under siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for over 500 days, has witnessed a surge in attacks targeting civilian infrastructure and resulting in significant civilian casualties.

Mounting Civilian Casualties and Targeted Attacks

Between September 19 and 29, at least 91 civilians were reportedly killed in El Fasher due to artillery shelling, drone strikes, and ground incursions. The UN Human Rights Office has documented attacks specifically targeting civilian infrastructure, fueling concerns that the RSF aims to forcibly displace the population. This includes those residing in the Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), a location already housing vulnerable individuals.

Türk emphasized the particularly precarious situation of vulnerable groups remaining in El Fasher, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses. He stressed the urgent need for their protection and condemned the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, raising fears of forced displacement mirroring previous incidents in the region.

Echoes of Past Atrocities and Risk of Ethnic Targeting

The UN's warning comes against a backdrop of historical violence and ethnic tensions in Darfur. The conflict in Darfur, which began in 2003, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions. Allegations of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity have been persistent throughout the conflict. Türk explicitly drew parallels to the situation in Zamzam camp, where ethnically motivated abuses have been reported, raising concerns that similar atrocities could unfold in El Fasher.

Dr. Suliman Baldo, a senior policy advisor at the Enough Project, a research and advocacy organization focused on ending genocide and crimes against humanity, echoed the UN's concerns. "The situation in El Fasher is extremely volatile, and the risk of mass atrocities is very real," Dr. Baldo stated. "The international community must act decisively to prevent a repeat of the horrors witnessed during the height of the Darfur conflict. This includes imposing targeted sanctions on those responsible for the violence and ensuring humanitarian access to those in need."

Historical Context and Current Crisis

The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Darfur and across the country. The RSF, a paramilitary group with roots in the Janjaweed militias that perpetrated atrocities during the Darfur conflict in the early 2000s, has been accused of widespread human rights abuses. The siege of El Fasher, a strategically important city and a hub for humanitarian aid, underscores the RSF's determination to consolidate its control over the region.

Professor Amina Idris, a Sudanese political analyst at the University of Khartoum, argues that the current crisis is rooted in a failure to address the underlying causes of the Darfur conflict. "The lack of accountability for past atrocities and the failure to implement comprehensive peace agreements have created a fertile ground for renewed violence," Professor Idris explained. "A lasting solution to the conflict in Darfur requires addressing issues of land ownership, resource allocation, and political representation, as well as ensuring justice for victims of past crimes."

Call for Humanitarian Access and Lifting of the Siege

The UN has repeatedly called for unimpeded humanitarian access to El Fasher and the lifting of the siege, emphasizing the urgent need to provide food, water, medical care, and other essential assistance to the civilian population. The ongoing violence and restrictions on access are hindering humanitarian efforts and exacerbating the suffering of those trapped in the city.

The international community faces increasing pressure to intervene to protect civilians in El Fasher and prevent further atrocities. The UN Security Council has held several meetings on the situation in Sudan, but concrete action, including the imposition of sanctions and the deployment of peacekeeping forces, remains limited. The urgent need for a ceasefire, humanitarian access, and a renewed commitment to peace negotiations is paramount to avert a catastrophic outcome in El Fasher and across Sudan.