Over 36,000 Sudanese people have evacuated following capture of El Fasher to RSF, states UN agency

In excess of 36,000 individuals have escaped Sudan's Kordofan territory east of Darfur beginning Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration organization.

The key central region between the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine region has during recent weeks become the latest battleground in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese army and the militia group.

Significant Exodus Numbers

An estimated 36,825 people escaped five areas in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, per data from the International Organization for Migration.

The individuals, most on foot, moved toward Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently accommodating more than 652,000 refugees.

Escalated Forces Deployment

Residents of North Kordofan on Monday noted a substantial rise in both RSF and army concentration across towns and villages throughout the state.

Both forces are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a important strategic and command hub that links Darfur to Khartoum.

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

Regional Residents Describe Protection Issues

A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the number of RSF vehicles had increased substantially since the group's seizure of El Fasher.

"We stopped going to our farms, concerned about clashes," the local commented.

Another inhabitant, who asked to remain unnamed for safety concerns, also confirmed 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 representative warned of patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.

The church leader on Sunday called for an prompt truce and the opening of relief routes in Sudan, declaring that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and declared that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the paramilitary group.

The representative further called on the global community to categorize the group as a terrorist organisation.

Joseph Gill
Joseph Gill

Elara Vance is a tech analyst and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in emerging technologies and innovation consulting.