The United States’ envoy to Sudan has issued a dire warning that the besieged city of El Fasher in western Darfur is on the brink of falling to rebel forces. The city is the last stronghold under army control in the region, with the armed forces locked in a brutal civil war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for the past 14 months.
US envoy Tom Perriello has raised concerns that the RSF may see capturing El Fasher as a means to establish Darfur as a breakaway state. He emphasized that the US would not recognize an independent Darfur under any circumstances.
The situation in El Fasher has reached a critical point, with hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped inside the city facing severe shortages of food and water. The RSF has been attacking the city since mid-April, leading to a humanitarian crisis with innocent people being starved by the siege.
Amidst the ongoing violence, health facilities in El Fasher are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties. The Sayyid Shuada health center, one of the last operating facilities, is overwhelmed by the mounting casualties, with only one surgeon working round the clock to treat the wounded.
The escalating conflict has forced many civilians to flee their homes once again, with tens of thousands seeking refuge in other parts of Sudan. The situation is rapidly deteriorating, with increasing numbers of facilities being put out of operation by the fighting.
The international community, including the US, is calling for a ceasefire in El Fasher to prevent further bloodshed and alleviate the suffering of the civilian population. The need for cooler heads to prevail and for the conflict to be resolved peacefully is paramount to prevent further loss of life and displacement.
