Darfur in flames: RSF conquers last stronghold El Fascher!

Darfur in flames: RSF conquers last stronghold El Fascher!

The situation in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region, has worsened dramatically. The paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has captured the last major city of El Fasher controlled by the Sudanese government. This development could have far-reaching consequences for the already tense humanitarian situation. Sudan's army confirmed the withdrawal from El Fasher on Monday, leaving around 300,000 civilians to live in catastrophic conditions. Loud Black Forest messenger There are fears that the RSF could use the city for violent attacks, including killings, torture and ethnic cleansing, which could further escalate an already fragile situation.

The RSF announced the capture of the army post and the city on Sunday after the Sudanese army said it had repelled two RSF attacks on Saturday. The recent fighting in El Fasher shows how quickly the balance of power can change. For months there has been a bloody power struggle between Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF commander, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. This clash has already resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and over 26 million starving people in the country, UN sources note.

The humanitarian crisis in Darfur

Darfur, a region the size of Spain, has suffered from conflict for many years. The ongoing fighting that began in 2003 has resulted in a humanitarian disaster that the United Nations says is the world's largest humanitarian crisis. The city of Tawila, where many refugees from El Fasher have fled, is particularly affected. Around 400,000 displaced people already live there, which is putting a heavy strain on resources and services. Organizations such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) are urgently calling for protection for the civilian population.

The geography of Darfur is characterized by hilly plains and the Marrah Mountains, which reach a height of up to 3,088 meters. The region is predominantly arid, and while intensive agriculture is practiced in the central area, things are different in the northern plains - there the soil is stony and not very fertile, which makes living conditions difficult. Despite these challenges, the people of Darfur have maintained their cultural traditions, such as crafts and agriculture.

A long history of conflict

The roots of the Darfur conflict go back deep into the past. Ethnic tensions between nomadic Arabs and sedentary peoples such as the Fur have been causing conflict since the late 1980s. The 2003 rebel uprising led to a brutal government response, including the creation of the notorious Janjaweed militia. These have caused devastating damage, claimed numerous lives and forced millions to flee.

The international community is watching the developments with great concern. Observers fear not only a permanent division in Sudan, but also that the ongoing violence could destabilize the entire region. The challenge of finding a peaceful solution remains one of the most pressing of the 21st century.