El Fasher

El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State in Sudan, is currently experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis due to a prolonged siege imposed by the ongoing conflict between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The siege of El Fasher has become one of the most alarming chapters in Sudan’s war, given the city's strategic importance and its large civilian population.

The siege began in earnest in mid-2024, when the RSF tightened control over the city's entrances, cutting off food, medical supplies, and vital transport routes. Since then, El Fasher has suffered from a near-total collapse of basic services, including electricity, water, and communication. This has led to extreme hardship for the civilian population trapped inside the city.

Local markets have all but collapsed due to the shortage of goods and skyrocketing prices. Food scarcity and malnutrition are widespread, especially among children and the elderly. The healthcare system is barely functioning, with hospitals shut down and essential medicines unavailable. Humanitarian aid has been largely unable to reach the city due to the security risks and the blockade.

Despite urgent calls from the United Nations and humanitarian organizations to allow aid into the city and to establish safe corridors for civilians, both warring parties have failed to commit to meaningful humanitarian pauses. Reports from the ground indicate grave violations, including the shelling of residential neighborhoods, looting, and attacks on civilians—potential war crimes under international law.

The siege of El Fasher is a stark example of the suffering endured by civilians amid the broader conflict in Sudan. It highlights the devastating impact of the war on innocent people and underscores the urgent need for international action.

Breaking the siege and protecting civilians must become an immediate priority. El Fasher, like many other cities across Sudan, needs peace—peace that ensures safety, dignity, and the restoration of essential services for its people. Only through a just and inclusive resolution can the suffering end and a path toward recovery begin.