Over 36,000 Sudanese people have fled since takeover of El Fasher to paramilitary group, states UN agency

In excess of 36,000 civilians have escaped Sudan's Kordofan territory eastern sector of Darfur starting Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration agency.

The strategic central area between the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine region has in recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the two-year civil war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group.

Significant Exodus Numbers

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

The civilians, primarily walking, moved toward Tawila, a town west of El Fasher that is currently sheltering in excess of 652,000 displaced people.

Escalated Troop Concentration

Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday reported a heavy surge in both RSF and army deployment across urban and rural areas throughout the state.

Both forces are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a important strategic and command base that connects Darfur to Khartoum.

"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently distributed video statement.

Area Citizens Detail Security Concerns

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

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

Another resident, who sought confidentiality 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 past two weeks.

International Concerns and Requests

A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.

The diplomat warned of patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF militants have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.

The religious leader on Sunday called for an prompt truce and the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are producing 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 armed faction.

The diplomat further called on the global community to categorize the group as a terrorist entity.

Sharon Mitchell
Sharon Mitchell

A certified nutritionist and wellness coach with over a decade of experience in holistic health, passionate about sharing natural remedies and sustainable living tips.