Sudan’s brutal civil war has taken a grave new turn after rebel forces from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of El Fasher, the last major government stronghold in the Darfur region. The city’s fall marks a decisive moment in the country’s conflict and raises renewed fears of ethnic violence and mass atrocities.
A City Under Siege
For months, El Fasher—once home to hundreds of thousands of civilians—had been surrounded by RSF fighters. Cut off from food, water, and medical aid, residents endured relentless bombardments and worsening famine-like conditions. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) had desperately tried to hold the city, but dwindling supplies and mounting casualties made resistance nearly impossible.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as RSF units advanced into the city’s center, overrunning military bases and government buildings. Explosions echoed through neighborhoods while civilians fled in panic, many carrying only what they could hold. Hospitals have been overwhelmed, with reports of attacks on medical facilities and aid convoys.
Accusations of Genocide and War Crimes
The RSF, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo—known as Hemedti—has long been accused of ethnic cleansing and genocidal violence in Darfur. Human rights organizations say the group continues to target non-Arab communities through systematic killings, mass rapes, and forced displacements.
El Fasher’s fall has intensified global alarm. Humanitarian agencies warn that tens of thousands of civilians could face slaughter if international intervention fails to materialize. Survivors from nearby towns report that RSF fighters are conducting house-to-house searches and executing men suspected of supporting the Sudanese army.
Strategic and Political Fallout
The capture of El Fasher gives the RSF almost complete control of Darfur, effectively splitting Sudan into two rival territories. The Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, still controls parts of the east, including Port Sudan, but their authority continues to erode.
Analysts say the seizure of the city could mark a turning point in Sudan’s war—shifting momentum decisively in favor of the RSF. With Darfur firmly in rebel hands, the group may attempt to form a breakaway administration, further deepening the country’s fragmentation.
This shift also weakens prospects for peace talks. Both sides have rejected international mediation efforts, each believing they can achieve a military victory. Diplomats warn that without urgent negotiations, Sudan could descend into full-scale state collapse.
Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolding
The humanitarian toll is staggering. More than nine million Sudanese have already been displaced by the conflict, with hundreds of thousands seeking refuge in Chad and South Sudan. Food shortages are acute, disease outbreaks are spreading, and aid deliveries remain blocked by insecurity.
El Fasher had been one of the last lifelines for humanitarian operations in western Sudan. With the city now under RSF control, access for aid groups has nearly vanished. Relief workers describe the situation as “beyond catastrophic,” saying people are dying from hunger and untreated wounds in makeshift shelters.
Echoes of the Past
The conflict in Darfur is a grim reminder of the atrocities that shocked the world two decades ago, when the Janjaweed militia—predecessors of today’s RSF—committed mass killings and rapes against ethnic African communities. The International Criminal Court still has outstanding warrants for war crimes and genocide linked to that earlier campaign.
Now, history appears to be repeating itself. The same forces once accused of genocide are consolidating control over the very region they once ravaged. Observers fear this time, the scale of violence could be even greater given the breakdown of Sudan’s central government.
The World’s Dilemma
International reaction has been muted despite growing evidence of atrocities. Global powers remain divided over how to respond, and humanitarian appeals have been met with limited funding. Regional nations fear that Sudan’s collapse could ignite instability across Africa’s Sahel and Horn regions, potentially creating a new haven for militias and extremist groups.
Calls are mounting for an international ceasefire and the creation of humanitarian corridors to protect civilians. Yet, with both sides showing little willingness to compromise, the world may once again be witnessing a genocide in slow motion.
A Nation on the Brink
Sudan’s descent into chaos shows no sign of slowing. With the RSF now controlling most of Darfur and the SAF struggling to hold key eastern cities, the conflict has effectively split the nation in two. Millions of civilians remain trapped between frontlines, facing starvation, disease, and indiscriminate violence.
As one aid worker put it, “Darfur has fallen—and with it, the hope that Sudan can survive as one nation.”
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