War in Sudan: the noose tightens around the strategic town of El Fasher, in Darfur
In Sudan, a country where the army of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitaries (FSR) of General Hemedti clash, the fighting continues, particularly in the strategic town of El Fasher. “ This is the last battle for Darfur,” underlines a researcher, while humanitarian workers and diplomats fear an imminent attack by the RSF.
With the war in Sudan , the noose is tightening around El Fasher, in Darfur, in the west of the country. Humanitarians and diplomats continue to sound the alarm. They fear an imminent assault by General Hemedti’s Rapid Support Forces (FSR).
El Fasher is the last town in Darfur still under the control of General al-Burhan’s Sudanese Armed Forces. It is also the refuge of many displaced people.
“ This is the last battle for Darfur ”
For the Yale University Humanitarian Research Laboratory, the RSF assault is imminent. The paramilitaries have already razed several villages to the west of the city. The army responded with bombings which caused at least a hundred casualties. Information confirmed by the American Department of State in a press release published on April 24, 2024. It asks both parties to cease hostilities. “ The leaders of the army and the RSF are today faced with a choice: the escalation of violence and suffering […] or the end of the attacks, the opening of humanitarian corridors, and the preparation of negotiations » ” says the press release.
For the Yale research laboratory, the RSF assault will be accompanied by massive ethnic violence. “ This is Darfur’s last battle, ” researcher Nathaniel Raymond explains. The RSF will feel free to complete what they did not complete in 2003-2004 [reference to the Darfur war, Editor’s note].”
El Fasher is today the refuge of nearly 700,000 displaced Sudanese, who notably fled ethnic violence. According to humanitarian sources, the Zam Zam camp, the largest in the region, is today without protection. The potential for a humanitarian crisis is alarmingly high, as the city is already on the brink of famine.
The situation in Sudan, particularly around the strategic town of El Fasher in Darfur, is deeply concerning. Recent reports indicate a significant escalation in tensions and violence, with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reportedly encircling the city, leaving civilians with no clear escape routes[1]. The United Nations has warned of an imminent attack, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by the approximately 800,000 people in El Fasher, many of whom are displaced due to ongoing fighting[2].
The potential for a humanitarian crisis is alarmingly high, as the city is already on the brink of famine. The Secretary-General of the United Nations has reiterated calls for all parties to refrain from fighting in the El Fasher area[3]. The situation is made even more precarious by the presence of the region’s largest camp for internally displaced people (IDPs), Zamzam, located just outside the city. The camp is home to hundreds of thousands of individuals, many from non-Arab groups that have been targeted throughout the conflict[4].
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, and there have been calls for immediate action to prevent further loss of life and to protect civilians. The conflict in Darfur has already led to a significant number of deaths and injuries, as well as the displacement of millions of Sudanese people both within and across the country’s borders[5].
The global community must come together to address this crisis and support those affected. The need for a peaceful resolution and humanitarian aid is urgent, as the lives of countless civilians hang in the balance. The situation in El Fasher serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of war on innocent lives and the importance of relentless efforts towards peace and stability in the region.
