Sudan’s El-Fasher Devastated and Abandoned Following Crisis

Assessing the Destruction of El-Fasher

El-Fasher has been devastated and mostly evacuated following its seizure by the Rapid Support Forces. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) recently conducted a limited assessment of the city’s status.

• The city was overtaken after months of siege by the RSF.
• MSF’s findings highlight massive destruction and depopulation.
• The visit marked MSF’s first entry since suspending operations in August 2024.

A Ghost Town

MSF described El-Fasher as resembling a ghost town, with only a few civilians remaining.

• The RSF seized control in October, causing vast areas to be deserted.
• Key public health facilities are rundown and scarcely attended.
• MSF provided a glimpse into the city’s dire medical landscape.

Humanitarian Concerns and Health Assessments

MSF visited displacement sites housing mainly women, children, and elderly people. Their observations confirm a lack of massive acute medical needs despite extensive past violence.

• Displacement sites hosted vulnerable groups facing scarcity of basic needs.
• MSF encountered patients with old injuries, offering support for surgical referrals.
• The visit revealed a stark contrast to El-Fasher’s past status as a thriving city.

Violence and Atrocities

Accounts of violence in El-Fasher and along escape routes have been echoed by MSF findings, pointing to serious humanitarian violations.

• Witnesses report mass killings, torture, and kidnappings.
• Concerns persist about the fate of civilians who remained post-takeover.
• MSF’s operations strive to locate and assist survivors in affected areas.

The Ongoing Conflict in Sudan

The conflict between the Sudanese army and RSF, ongoing since April 2023, has resulted in significant casualties and displacements throughout the region.

• Efforts for regional and international mediation have yet to succeed.
• The war has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions.
• Humanitarian agencies continue to face challenges in accessing conflict zones.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.