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The Dangerous Battle for El Fasher

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Another worrisome warning about the ongoing battle in El Fasher, and the possibility of ethnically-motivated violence or genocide if the RSF take over, this time from UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk: "From bitter past experience, if El Fasher falls, there is a high risk of ethnically targeted violations and abuses, including summary executions and sexual violence, by the RSF and allied militia," Türk added."

In brief, the RSF (Rapid Support Forces), a group which descends from the Janjaweed paramilitary group that were responsible for acts of genocide in Darfur in the early 2000s, is fighting control for the control of El Fasher (Al-Fashir), the capital of North Darfur state. During the fighting in the early 2000s, many fled violence elsewhere and the city grew to about half a million people in 2009. Some fear that if the RSF takes control of the city, they may engage in ethnically-motivated killings of civilians, as the UN and others claim took place last year in El-Geneina.

Fighting has been ongoing since April 2023, and El Fasher is the last major SAF stronghold in Darfur. It is home to the SAF's 6th Infantry Division, but also represents a significant humanitarian hub, hosting numerous displaced people from earlier conflicts in Darfur.

What might be done?

  • Promoting a ceasefire: Ceasefires have been negotiated in the past, but they were short-lived. It appears that all sides see a strategic logic in continuing to fight, making a lasting truce unlikely at present. However, international pressure, especially from the U.S. and African nations, is needed to promote a negotiated settlement and a resumption of peace talks.
  • The international community needs to exert pressure on all sides to allow safe passage for civilians seeking to flee the fighting and facilitate the delivery of aid into the besieged city. Establishing secure humanitarian corridors, potentially with international monitoring, is crucial to prevent mass starvation and alleviate suffering.

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