Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as 36,000+ Flee Sudan’s Kordofan Region Following RSF Capture of El Fasher
The already fragile humanitarian situation in Sudan has deteriorated dramatically following the capture of El Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), triggering a massive displacement crisis that has forced more than 36,000 civilians to abandon their homes in a desperate search for safety.
A Sudden Exodus on Foot
According to detailed reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency, approximately 36,825 people fled five separate localities within North Kordofan State between October 26 and 31. This mass exodus came in the immediate aftermath of the RSF’s military takeover of El Fasher, a strategically critical city.
The majority of these displaced families undertook their journey on foot, a testament to both the urgency of their flight and the collapse of transportation infrastructure. Their destination? The town of Tawila, located west of El Fasher, which has now become an overwhelmed sanctuary hosting more than 652,000 displaced persons, according to UN estimates. This staggering figure illustrates how one town is bearing the brunt of a regional catastrophe.
The Strategic Battlefield Expands
The area bridging Sudan’s Darfur provinces and the Khartoum-Riverine region, which includes the national capital, has rapidly evolved into the latest active front in the brutal two-year conflict pitting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the RSF. The fall of El Fasher appears to have acted as a catalyst, accelerating military movements and intensifying the struggle for control over North Kordofan.
Residents across North Kordofan report a visibly growing presence of both RSF fighters and army units throughout the state. At the heart of this military buildup lies the fierce competition for control of El Obeid, the state capital. Why is this city so coveted? El Obeid serves as a vital logistics hub, the crucial link connecting Darfur to Khartoum. Furthermore, it houses a major airport, making it a prize of immense strategic value for either side seeking to dominate supply lines and troop movements.
RSF Advances and Civilian Fear
In a video statement released by the group late on Sunday, an RSF member declared, “Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here,” referencing a city north of El Obeid. The RSF claims to have seized control of Bara just last week, a claim that, if accurate, would represent a significant advance toward El Obeid itself.
The human cost of these military maneuvers is already devastating. Suleiman Babiker, a resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, provided a chilling account to Agence France-Presse. “We stopped going to our farms, afraid of clashes,” he stated, noting that the number of RSF vehicles in his area had increased markedly since the fall of El Fasher. For agrarian communities, abandoning farms means not just immediate displacement but the destruction of livelihoods and long-term food security.
Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, reported witnessing “a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid” over the preceding two weeks. This suggests a substantial reinforcement of SAF positions, setting the stage for a potentially catastrophic confrontation.
Warnings of Large-Scale Atrocities
The situation has drawn grave concern from international observers. Martha Pobee, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, issued a stark warning last week about the risk of “large-scale atrocities” and “ethnically motivated reprisals” by the RSF in the recently captured town of Bara.
Pobee indicated that the violence appears to mirror disturbing patterns previously witnessed in Darfur. In those regions, following the fall of El Fasher, RSF fighters have been repeatedly accused of committing mass killings, systematic sexual violence, and widespread abductions targeting non-Arab ethnic groups. These allegations point to a conflict that is not merely political but has taken on a deeply troubling ethnic dimension.
International Appeals and Diplomatic Stalemate
The escalating crisis has prompted calls for intervention from the highest levels. On Sunday, Pope Francis appealed for an immediate ceasefire and the urgent establishment of humanitarian corridors in Sudan. He condemned the attacks on civilians and restrictions on aid delivery, stating unequivocally that these actions “are causing unacceptable suffering.”
However, the path to diplomacy appears blocked. Sudan’s ambassador to Egypt, Imadeldin Mustafa Adawi, has publicly accused the RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher. In a firm declaration, he stated that the Sudanese government would refuse to negotiate with the group. Instead, he urged the international community to designate the RSF as a terrorist organization—a move that would significantly alter the international response but seems unlikely to de-escalate the immediate violence.
A Deepening Catastrophe with No End in Sight
As tens of thousands join the ranks of the displaced, the human tragedy in Sudan continues to unfold on a scale that challenges comprehension. The capture of El Fasher has not merely shifted the front lines; it has opened a new chapter of suffering for civilians caught between two powerful military forces. With the strategic prize of El Obeid now in the crosshairs, and warnings of ethnically targeted violence growing louder, the international community faces a critical test of its willingness and ability to prevent further atrocities.
The stories of those like Suleiman Babiker, who have abandoned their farms and livelihoods, represent more than just statistics. They are the human face of a conflict that shows no signs of abating. With humanitarian access constrained and diplomatic solutions seeming increasingly remote, the people of Sudan’s Kordofan region are left to confront a terrifying question: Where can they possibly go to find safety?
Source: The Guardian UK, via Tribune Online