At least 36,000 Sudanese citizens have escaped since fall of El Fasher to RSF, reports UN agency

In excess of 36,000 individuals have fled Sudan's Kordofan region eastern part of Darfur starting Saturday, according to the UN's migration agency.

The strategic central area separating the country's Darfur areas and the capital region has in recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary forces.

Significant Exodus Numbers

An approximated 36,825 people fled five areas in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The people, mainly traveling by foot, traveled to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently accommodating over 652,000 refugees.

Escalated Military Presence

Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday noted a heavy surge in both RSF and army deployment across towns and villages throughout the state.

Both forces are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a important strategic and command base that links Darfur to Khartoum.

"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," said an RSF member in a recently shared video declaration.

Local Residents Report Safety Fears

A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the amount of RSF vehicles had risen significantly since the group's seizure of El Fasher.

"We stopped going to our farms, fearing fighting," the individual stated.

Another civilian, who requested anonymity for protection purposes, also reported that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.

World Warnings and Requests

A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "widespread abuses" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.

The representative warned of patterns comparable to patterns 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 appealed for an quick cessation of hostilities and the creation of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's ambassador to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the paramilitary group.

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

Michael Thomas
Michael Thomas

A tech journalist and innovation strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and their impact on global markets.