The United Nations is urgently seeking access to the famine-stricken city of al-Fashir in Darfur, where reports of mass reprisals have emerged since the takeover by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces last month. According to U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher, providing aid to the city would be a monumental task, as it has become a “crime scene” due to reports of systematic executions, detentions, and rapes.
Many residents of al-Fashir, who were believed to have stayed behind during the RSF’s siege, are still missing. The need for safe passage for humanitarian workers to enter the city and for survivors to leave is crucial, Fletcher emphasized during an interview from N’Djamena, Chad.
Negotiations with the RSF are delicate, but Fletcher expressed hope that the U.N. would gain access to al-Fashir in the coming days or weeks, rather than months. He stressed the importance of putting in the necessary effort to provide aid to the city.
The fall of al-Fashir on October 26 solidified the RSF’s control over the Darfur region after a 2-1/2-year conflict with the Sudanese army. The city has been cut off from communication since the RSF offensive, leading to reports of mass atrocities, torture, and sexual violence on a horrific scale.
The RSF has denied allegations of widespread abuses but stated that they are investigating cases of misconduct by their soldiers. The International Criminal Court is gathering evidence of alleged mass killings and rapes in al-Fashir.
Over 100,000 people have fled al-Fashir since the RSF takeover, with only a fraction reaching the nearby town of Tawila, which is under neutral control. The majority of the displaced population is believed to be in inaccessible villages around al-Fashir.
Fletcher, who visited Tawila where half a million displaced individuals were already seeking refuge, described the journey to the Chad border as perilous due to numerous checkpoints. He emphasized the urgency of gaining full authority to operate within Sudan to provide aid at scale.
Aid deliveries are contingent on the RSF providing safe passage for U.N. convoys and civilians fleeing the conflict, as well as ensuring accountability for fighters involved in atrocities. Fletcher also held discussions with Sudan’s army chief to secure full access to the country, despite past bureaucratic obstacles.
In conclusion, the situation in al-Fashir remains dire, with urgent humanitarian assistance needed to address the widespread suffering and displacement caused by the conflict. The U.N.’s efforts to gain access to the city are crucial in providing aid and support to those affected by the ongoing crisis in Darfur.
