At least 36,000 Sudanese people have evacuated since takeover of El Fasher to paramilitary group, reports UN agency

More than 36,000 civilians have fled Sudan's Kordofan area eastern sector of Darfur beginning Saturday, according to the UN's immigration body.

The strategic central area separating the country's Darfur regions and the capital region has during recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the extended civil war between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary forces.

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, most on foot, traveled to Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently sheltering over 652,000 refugees.

Increased Forces Deployment

Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday noted a significant increase in both RSF and army concentration across urban and rural areas throughout the state.

Both armed factions are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a key logistics and command hub that connects Darfur to Khartoum.

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

Area Inhabitants Detail Security Concerns

A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the number of RSF vehicles had increased considerably since the group's takeover of El Fasher.

"We discontinued traveling to our farms, concerned about confrontations," the local commented.

Another civilian, who requested anonymity for protection purposes, also reported that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the previous fortnight.

World Warnings and Requests

A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.

The official alerted to patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against non-Arab ethnic groups.

The spiritual head on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of relief routes in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."

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

The diplomat further encouraged the international community to designate the group as a terrorist entity.

Nancy Carter
Nancy Carter

Environmental scientist and writer passionate about sustainable living and sharing practical eco-tips.