Table of Contents
The humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan, particularly in el-Fasher, has reached alarming levels. For over 500 days, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have committed horrific acts against civilians. Families have resorted to eating animal feed due to severe food shortages.
Survivors escaping el-Fasher often undertake the difficult journey to Tawila, located 60 kilometers southwest. These individuals arrive traumatized, having witnessed indiscriminate killings and targeted ethnic violence. Testimonies from those treated by Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) reveal the brutality of the situation, including reports of sexual violence and children arriving orphaned, terrified, and alone.
The grim reality of violence and displacement
In el-Fasher, atrocities include massacres, torture, and summary executions. Thousands remain unaccounted for or are held hostage as violence continues to escalate. The personal connections of my Sudanese colleagues to the victims heighten the urgency of their mission; many are anxiously awaiting news of loved ones affected by the RSF.
The predictable nature of this crisis
It is disheartening yet unsurprising to witness this tragedy unfold. For months, warnings from the Sudanese people and international observers, including MSF, have predicted that the RSF’s takeover would lead to massacres. This cycle of violence is not unprecedented; in the early stages of the war, over 15,000 individuals, primarily from the Masalit and other non-Arab communities, were killed in West Darfur’s capital, el-Geneina. Displaced individuals treated by MSF in neighboring Chad recounted ethnic-based attacks that forced them to flee.
After the RSF’s assault on the Zamzam camp, previously the largest displacement site in Sudan, conditions deteriorated further. Despite repeated calls for humanitarian assistance, MSF’s efforts were hindered as food supplies were blocked from reaching those in need. Even after famine was declared in August, aid trucks were prevented from delivering essential supplies, compounding the suffering of the vulnerable population.
Accountability and the need for intervention
The actions of the RSF represent a calculated campaign aimed at starving, displacing, and exterminating civilians based on ethnicity. This group, reportedly supported by the United Arab Emirates, is responsible for the ongoing violence in el-Fasher and must be compelled to cease hostilities and ensure safe passage for survivors.
International humanitarian law mandates that all parties involved in the conflict protect civilians and facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access. However, the collective failure to act reveals a broader issue, as numerous governments have refrained from using their influence to halt the violence or support aid delivery. Instead, they issue passive statements while continuing to provide financial and military support to the factions perpetrating these atrocities.
The lessons of history and the call for action
Over two decades ago, similar violence in Darfur prompted a global response. The International Criminal Court indicted former President Omar al-Bashir for crimes against humanity and genocide. As violence against the same ethnic groups resurfaces, the international community must not look away. Nations with influence over the warring factions, including the United States, UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, collectively known as the Quad, must intervene to prevent further bloodshed.
In light of the horrors witnessed in el-Fasher, it is crucial to reject the notion of a “new normal” that permits such violence. A commitment to political solutions, sustained humanitarian efforts, and accountability for perpetrators is essential. Recently, the UN Human Rights Council established an independent commission to investigate the crimes in el-Fasher, and all nations must support this initiative.
As we reflect on the plight of those in el-Fasher and nearby areas, it is important to recognize that the current violence may only signal the beginning of a larger, more devastating conflict that threatens countless civilian lives, particularly in regions like Kordofan. Without immediate and decisive action, we risk further escalation of this crisis.