The city of El Fasher in Darfur is facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with no access to food, health care, or nutrition centers. Dr. Gillian Burkhardt, an American obstetrician-gynecologist who worked with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in El Fasher, described the dire situation. The city has no functioning airports, making it difficult to bring in humanitarian supplies, which are insufficient compared to the overall need. RSF soldiers looted a hospital in the city, suspending all activities at the South Hospital. The RSF, successor to the Janjaweed militia accused of ethnic cleansing in Darfur decades ago, has a violent history in the region.
The conflict in Darfur has deep roots, with the current fighting reflecting the ethnic tensions and violence of the past. Omer Ismail, a former Sudanese government official, noted that the conflict today is even more severe than it was 20 years ago. The RSF has been accused of targeting ethnic minorities in Darfur, systematically destroying civilian dwellings in areas with Zaghawa and Masalit populations. Reports from the U.N. and Human Rights Watch have documented executions, sexual violence, and other atrocities committed by RSF soldiers and allied militias. Ismail, who hails from El Fasher, expressed concern for civilians caught in the crossfire.
While the RSF is primarily responsible for the violence against ethnic minorities in Darfur, the military has also faced criticism for obstructing aid and contributing to the suffering of civilians. The international community has called for a cessation of hostilities and for the RSF to end the siege of El Fasher. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on individuals and companies supporting both sides of the conflict. The International Criminal Court has launched a campaign to gather evidence of atrocities currently being committed in Darfur, expressing concern about the situation in El Fasher and its surrounding areas. However, responses from the Sudanese government, military, and RSF have been scarce.
As the fighting continues in Sudan, including in the capital of Khartoum, the conflict shows no signs of abating. Despite the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis, Ismail remains hopeful for his home nation. Efforts to address the crisis in Darfur through international diplomacy, sanctions, and investigations into war crimes are being pursued, but the situation on the ground remains dire. The people of El Fasher and other areas in Darfur continue to suffer from the effects of the conflict, with little relief in sight.
