Background: A long-standing Darfur catastrophe
The western Sudanese city of El-Fasher has been a focal point in the country’s brutal conflict, rooted in a struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The latest development—El-Fasher falling under RSF control—appears to signal a major shift in the balance of power in Darfur, a region already devastated by years of violence, displacement, and humanitarian crisis.
The withdrawal: Army pulls back to protect civilians
In a televised address, Sudan’s military chief, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, confirmed the army’s withdrawal from its last western stronghold in El-Fasher. He said the move was authorized in response to what he described as the systematic destruction and killing of civilians. Burhan stated that he had agreed with local leaders to leave the city and seek safety to protect remaining residents and prevent further destruction. Critics argue the pullback could leave civilians more exposed to violence, while supporters say it is a measured step to preserve lives amid a humanitarian catastrophe.
International response: The UN’s alarm and calls for safe passage
The United Nations has warned of atrocities by the RSF and called for guaranteed safe passage for civilians trapped by the fighting. UN officials, including outgoing head Antonio Guterres, described the situation as grave and highlighted the siege’s impact on malnutrition, disease, and displacement in the North Darfur region. The UN Human Rights Office emphasized a rising pattern of ethnically motivated abuses and urged states with influence to act to prevent further atrocities, underscoring accountability as essential.
Strategic implications: RSF consolidates control in Darfur
With El-Fasher’s capture, the RSF now controls all five state capitals in Darfur, reinforcing its parallel administration based in Nyala, South Darfur. The development could consolidate RSF’s operational capabilities and complicate any future negotiations, potentially widening the rift within Sudan’s fracturing political landscape. The army has repeatedly framed its battles as necessary to defend the nation against traitors; the RSF has portrayed itself as the sole conduit to stability for many communities in Darfur.
Humanitarian outlook: A looming test for aid organizations
The fall of El-Fasher intensifies concerns for civilians already living under siege or displacement. Aid agencies warn that food shortages, malnutrition, disease, and a lack of essential services will worsen if humanitarian corridors remain blocked. The UN and humanitarian partners are pressing for humanitarian corridors and unobstructed access to deliver relief, protect the most vulnerable, and document abuses for accountability.
What comes next: Navigating a fragile future
Analysts say the trajectory of Sudan’s civil war remains uncertain. The RSF’s expanded reach in Darfur could prompt renewed clashes in and around other towns and complicate any prospective peace process. For residents of El-Fasher and surrounding areas, the immediate concern is safety, food security, and access to medical care. The international community faces pressure to respond decisively—balancing calls for restraint, humanitarian access, and accountability with the realities on the ground.
Bottom line: A turning point with grim implications
The seizure of El-Fasher marks a potentially decisive moment in Darfur’s history. As the RSF extends its hold over the region, the scale of humanitarian need and the fragility of civilian protection obligations come under sharper scrutiny. The world watches closely to see whether international leverage can translate into concrete protection for civilians amid a conflict that has already cost tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions.
