Under SAF’s Control… Warnings of an Unprecedented Disaster in El Fasher

The city of El-Fasher in North Darfur is experiencing “An unprecedented catastrophic deterioration,” according to activists, amidst ongoing artillery shelling, “hunger, disease, and drought,” according to a statement issued by activists on Sunday.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) control El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, its the only major city in Darfur still outside the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees, an independent group working in refugee camps in Darfur, shared in a statement that: “Residents are bearing the brunt of artillery shelling, the terrifying and deadly sounds of aircrafts and missiles, in addition to the daily suffering of hunger, disease, and drought.”

In its statement, the General Coordination added that life in Darfur, particularly in El-Fasher, “has come to a complete halt, with empty markets lacking the most basic of food supplies, and humanitarian aid completely halted.”

The independent group also referenced the “price boom and a severe cash shortage,” explaining that the price of water has reached (1,500 Sudanese pounds) i.e the equivalent of ($2.50) for two gallons.

On Saturday, the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), allied with the Rapid Support Forces, called on citizens of El-Fasher and refugees in the Abu Shouk and Zamzam Camps in North Darfur to evacuate and head to areas controlled by the Movement, “given the escalation of military operations, the deterioration of humanitarian conditions, and the lack of life around the city.”

The Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces (GSLF),)
also allied with the Rapid Support Forces, confirmed its willingness to “provide safe corridors for evacuation to liberated areas.”

Nearly two million people in North Darfur face severe food insecurity, and (320,000) are already suffering from famine, according to UN estimates.

The UN has declared famine in three camps for displaced persons around El-Fasher, and the famine is expected to spread to five other areas, including El-Fasher, by next May.

At the end of March, the Rapid Support Forces announced their control of the strategic town of Al-Malha, located on the foothills of a mountain (200 km) from El-Fasher.

Al-Malha is one of the northernmost towns in the vast desert between Sudan and Libya and, according to local and aid sources, is a vital point on the Rapid Support Forces’ supply route.