Over 36,000 Sudanese have evacuated following takeover of El Fasher to RSF, says UN agency
In excess of 36,000 individuals have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan area east of Darfur since Saturday, according to the UN's migration organization.
The key central region connecting the country's Darfur provinces and the Khartoum-Riverine area has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the extended civil war between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary group.
Substantial Exodus Figures
An estimated 36,825 people fled five localities in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The people, primarily walking, moved toward Tawila, a town west of El Fasher that is currently accommodating in excess of 652,000 displaced people.
Increased Forces Deployment
Residents of North Kordofan on Monday described a substantial rise in both RSF and army deployment across towns and villages throughout the state.
Both armed factions are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a important strategic and command center that joins Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have assembled at the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently circulated video message.
Area Residents Detail Protection Issues
A resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the amount of RSF vehicles had grown significantly since the group's capture of El Fasher.
"We discontinued traveling to our farms, fearing fighting," the local stated.
Another resident, who sought confidentiality for safety concerns, also indicated that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
Global Warnings and Appeals
A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "large-scale atrocities" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.
The representative cautioned about patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The church leader on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire and the creation of relief routes in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's ambassador to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and declared that the Sudanese government would not engage with the armed faction.
The diplomat further called on the global community to categorize the group as a terrorist organisation.