At least 36,000 Sudanese people have fled after capture of El Fasher to RSF, says UN agency

In excess of 36,000 civilians have fled Sudan's Kordofan region east of Darfur starting Saturday, according to the UN's migration agency.

The strategic central area separating the country's Darfur regions and the capital region has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary group.

Substantial Evacuation Figures

An calculated 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 civilians, most on foot, headed to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently accommodating over 652,000 evacuated individuals.

Escalated Military Presence

Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday noted a substantial rise in both RSF and army deployment across communities throughout the state.

Both armed factions are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a key logistics and command hub that links Darfur to Khartoum.

"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently shared video message.

Regional Inhabitants Report Protection Issues

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

"We ceased visiting our farms, afraid of clashes," the resident explained.

Another inhabitant, who asked to remain unnamed for safety concerns, also indicated that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.

Global Concerns and Requests

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

The diplomat alerted to patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against non-Arab ethnic groups.

The spiritual head on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire and the creation of relief routes in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not engage with the armed faction.

The ambassador further urged the global community to categorize the group as a terrorist organisation.

Michael Lawrence
Michael Lawrence

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