UN Security Council Warns of Imminent Attack on El Fasher Amid Escalating Violence in North Darfur

The United Nations Security Council has expressed deep concern over the growing tensions and military operations around El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state in Sudan. Council members are alarmed about an imminent offensive by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied militias against the city, which is sheltering hundreds of thousands of people who have fled violence elsewhere.

The Security Council has called on the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, who have been engaged in combat with each other since April 15, 2023, to immediately halt the military build-up and take steps to de-escalate the situation in El Fasher. This comes amid reports that at least 43 people have been killed in the fighting between the SAF and RSF since April 14, when the RSF began its push into the city.

The dire situation is compounded by a severe shortage of essential supplies, as deliveries of commercial goods and humanitarian aid have been heavily constrained by the fighting and challenges in accessing through RSF-controlled territory. Civilians trapped in El Fasher are afraid of being killed if they attempt to flee.

Why this matters: The escalating violence in El Fasher threatens the lives of 800,000 people, many of whom are already displaced, and could unleash bloody intercommunal strife throughout Darfur. The conflict has the potential to further destabilize the region and exacerbate the crisis in humanitarian aid, with 25 million people now in need of life-saving assistance.

The Security Council has urged all UN member states to refrain from external interference that seeks to foment conflict and instability, and instead to support efforts for a lasting peace. They have also reminded all parties to the conflict and member states to adhere to their obligations to comply with the arms embargo measures.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has repeatedly warned against an attack on El Fasher, a critical UN humanitarian hub. "The United Nations is deeply concerned about the situation in El Fasher," Guterres said in a statement. "I urge all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, ensure the safety of humanitarian workers, and allow unimpeded humanitarian access."

The conflict in Darfur has killed tens of thousands of people, forced more than 8.5 million to flee their homes, and created circumstances for a widespread food shortage. The RSF has its roots in the Janjaweed militia, which has been accused of war crimes against ethnic African civilians during the Darfur civil war in the 2000s.

The UN Security Council has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, leading to a sustainable ce

Key Takeaways

• UN Security Council expresses deep concern over tensions in El Fasher, Sudan.
• Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) engaged in combat since April 2023.
• Conflict threatens 800,000 civilians, exacerbates humanitarian crisis in Darfur.
• UN urges parties to halt military build-up, protect civilians, and allow aid access.
• Conflict has roots in Darfur civil war, with RSF linked to Janjaweed militia.