As fighting escalates in sudan and the rapid support forces seize el-fasher—the last sudanese army stronghold in darfur—regional and international calls for action intensify amid reports of mass atrocities against civilians. Egypt reaffirmed its support for the sudanese people and pushed for a ceasefire and humanitarian truce to enable aid access. The european union strongly condemned the rsf's brutal actions, warning of an impending humanitarian catastrophe.
El-fasher, the last stronghold of the sudanese army in darfur, fell under the control of the rapid support forces (rsf), leading to a rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation and warnings of a full-blown catastrophe. Egypt, a key regional player, reiterated its unwavering support for the sudanese people. Foreign ministry spokesperson tamim khalaf stated that foreign minister badr abdelaty met his sudanese counterpart mohieddin salem to reaffirm egypt’s commitment to sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. Egypt is actively engaged in international and regional efforts to broker a ceasefire and a comprehensive humanitarian truce, particularly to allow critical aid access to el-fasher.
The european union issued a strong condemnation of the rsf’s brutal actions in the city, with eu foreign policy chief kaja kallas calling the “ethnic targeting” of civilians a shocking violation of human rights. Kallas urged both sides to de-escalate immediately as international pressure mounts. France expressed deep concern over alleged summary executions carried out by rsf fighters in el-fasher and the nearby town of bara, calling for direct negotiations facilitated by the “quad”—the us, egypt, saudi arabia, and the uae—along with the african union and the eu to secure peace.
In a concerning development, sudan’s foreign ministry ordered the expulsion of two senior world food programme (wfp) officials without explanation. The wfp warned that this could severely hamper aid operations at a time when over 24 million sudanese face food insecurity.
A new report from the washington post sheds light on the scale of the rsf’s brutality, citing video evidence, satellite imagery, and eyewitness accounts. According to the report, senior rsf commander brigadier general fathi abdullah idris, known as “abu lolo,” boasted of having personally killed over 2,000 people. Satellite imagery from yale university’s humanitarian research lab corroborates these claims, showing clusters of bodies and bloodstains visible from space—evidence of mass executions stretching for miles around the city.
Jacqueline parlevliet, head of the un refugee agency in sudan, reported that tens of thousands of civilians have fled el-fasher in recent days, while approximately 260,000 remain trapped in dire conditions. The un has no safe access routes to the city, and parlevliet described the crisis as “a rapidly escalating humanitarian and protection disaster.”
The arab league, qatar, and saudi arabia have also condemned the rsf’s actions in el-fasher and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The arab league warned that the ongoing violence threatens sudan’s national unity and regional stability, urging international coordination to end the bloodshed.
Since the outbreak of conflict on april 15, 2023, between the sudanese army and the rsf, more than 20,000 people have been killed and over 15 million displaced, according to un estimates. A us academic study, however, suggests the death toll may exceed 130,000. Sudanese army chief abdel fattah al-burhan has repeatedly vowed not to lay down arms until the rsf is defeated, rejecting any peace process that would allow the paramilitary group a political role in sudan’s future, leaving the country’s prospects increasingly uncertain and volatile.