UN officials denounce mass killings in Sudan as Rapid Support Forces make significant advances.

In the ongoing crisis in Sudan, the humanitarian situation in el-Fasher has reached alarming levels, prompting strong condemnation from United Nations officials. The city, which has suffered extensive violence and dislocation, is now experiencing an alarming rise in mass killings and civilian suffering as paramilitary forces seize control. This tragic saga is a stark reminder of the urgent need for international attention and action to alleviate the plight of those affected by the conflict.

The United Nations has expressed grave concern over the escalating violence in Sudan’s el-Fasher, where the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have taken control, resulting in mass killings and widespread suffering. As the RSF drove Sudan’s army from its last stronghold in North Darfur, the humanitarian crisis intensified, leading UN officials to describe el-Fasher as having “descended into an even darker hell.”

During an emergency session of the UN Security Council, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, assistant secretary-general for Africa, shared shocking accounts of the situation on the ground, noting credible reports of mass killings, summary executions, and forced searches as civilians attempted to escape. She underscored the chaos, indicating that the number of civilians killed remains difficult to ascertain, pointing out that despite assurances for civilian safety, insecurity pervades el-Fasher.

Humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher echoed these sentiments, portraying a grim reality in which the city, already burdened by catastrophic human suffering, has succumbed to even greater horrors. He highlighted credible accounts of widespread executions following the RSF’s entrance into the city, stating that assaults on women and girls have occurred under a veil of impunity.

Survivors of the violence recall harrowing tales from the prior 18-month siege, which had already confined hundreds of thousands of residents due to a lack of food and basic necessities. Reports indicate that since the RSF took control on Sunday, over 36,000 individuals have fled, predominantly on foot, to Tawila, a town 70 kilometers west that is home to approximately 650,000 displaced persons.

Fatima Abdulrahman, displaced from el-Fasher, recounted the deadly impacts of shelling that led to the loss of her daughter and injuries to other family members. Observers fear that turbulence in el-Fasher could signal a larger fracture within Sudan, reminiscent of the secession of South Sudan over a decade ago. The latest outbreak of violence commenced in April 2023 due to rising tensions between the military and RSF, resulting in tens of thousands dead and over 12 million displaced.

Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed, Sudan’s representative at the UN, characterized the events unfolding in el-Fasher as part of a systematic pattern of violence and ethnic cleansing perpetrated by the RSF since their rebellion began. He called for the international community to recognize these ongoing atrocities as genocide, urging the Security Council to take decisive action against the RSF’s activities in el-Fasher, including labeling them a “terrorist” organization and enforcing a year-old arms embargo.

As the humanitarian crisis unfolds, aid workers in Tawila are alarmed by the deteriorating conditions as new waves of internally displaced persons arrive, exacerbating food and medical shortages. Immediate efforts are focused on delivering essentials to those fleeing el-Fasher, amidst reports of extreme trauma and grave fear among the displaced population. The calls for international intervention resonate louder as the situation develops, reflecting the dire need for solidarity and support for the millions affected by this unfolding tragedy.

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