UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday issued a stark warning over the rapidly worsening situation in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, highlighting mounting risks to civilians trapped in the city. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have tightened their siege on El Fasher for over 500 days, with attacks on civilians intensifying in recent weeks. Residents of the nearby Abu Shouk displacement camp have reportedly fled following relentless shelling and raids.
“The fighting must stop now,” Guterres said, reiterating calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, and safe, unhindered humanitarian access. He emphasized that civilians wishing to leave must be guaranteed safe passage.
The warning follows a deadly attack on a mosque in El Fasher on Friday, which reportedly killed dozens of worshippers during morning prayers. UN Humanitarian Coordinator Denise Brown condemned the strike, stressing that international humanitarian law protects religious sites and those attending them. She described attacks on places of worship as potential war crimes and called for accountability for the perpetrators, reportedly linked to the RSF.
Humanitarian conditions in El Fasher and surrounding camps have deteriorated sharply since famine was declared in the region last year. The conflict between the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), ongoing since April 2023, has already claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions, with risks of ethnically motivated violence rising as fighting advances deeper into the city.
Guterres urged both parties to return to dialogue and negotiations for a sustainable political solution and called for concerted international action in support of the people of Sudan as world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly in New York next week. His Personal Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, expressed readiness to assist in efforts to end the conflict and establish the inclusive political process demanded by Sudan’s people.
