UN Sounds Alarm over ‘Terrifying’ Situation in Sudan’s El Fasher

Civilians have borne the brunt of Sudan’s conflict, particularly in Darfur (pictured), where thousands have been killed and many more forced to flee. (file photo)

The UN’s top humanitarian official has called for an immediate ceasefire in El Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur region, amid reports of heavy civilian casualties, attacks on hospitals, and the city’s reported capture by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Tom Fletcher, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, said he was “deeply alarmed” by reports of civilian deaths and mass displacement as fierce fighting engulfs the city.

“With fighters pushing further into the city and escape routes cut off, hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped and terrified — shelled, starving, and without access to food, healthcare or safety,” Mr Fletcher said in a statement on Sunday.

He called for “an immediate ceasefire in El Fasher, across Darfur and throughout Sudan,” stressing that civilians must be allowed safe passage and humanitarian workers must be protected.

“Safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access must be allowed to reach all civilians in need,” he said. “We have lifesaving supplies ready, but intensified attacks have made it impossible for us to deliver aid. Local humanitarian workers continue to save lives under fire.”

City Under Siege

El Fasher, the last major city in Darfur still under government control, has been under siege for more than a year.

According to reports, the RSF — a paramilitary group waging a brutal war against its former allies, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) — has claimed to have seized control of the city after capturing the army’s Sixth Division headquarters.

The Sudanese army has not yet commented, but the fall of El Fasher would mark a major setback for government forces and a potential turning point in the civil war that has devastated the country since April 2023.

The conflict has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, displacing more than 11.7 million people, including 4.2 million who have fled to neighbouring countries, according to UN figures.

Widespread Civilian Casualties

UN agencies have reported extensive civilian deaths and repeated attacks on medical facilities in recent weeks.

At least 20 people were killed in strikes on a mosque and the Saudi Hospital — the city’s last functioning medical centre — earlier this month. This followed nearly 100 civilian deaths in September.

Hold Perpetrators to Account

Mr Fletcher condemned the continued targeting of civilians, hospitals and humanitarian operations, urging all parties to respect international law.

“Those responsible for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law must be held to account,” he said.

He also reiterated the obligations under Security Council resolution 2736 (2024), which demands an end to the siege of El Fasher, the protection of civilians and unrestricted humanitarian access across Sudan.