RSF Threat in El-Fasher Looms Large
The RSF threat in El-Fasher has left thousands in fear as paramilitary forces advance on the city. El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, stands on edge as the looming threat of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) invasion grows. This paramilitary group, infamous for its atrocities, has sown terror in Darfur for decades. Displaced residents and local armed groups are taking up arms to defend their land and communities.
One of the faces of resistance is Sara Ismail, a 30-year-old member of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA-MM). Wearing a black hijab and camouflage, she patrols the central market of El-Fasher armed with an AK-47. Ismail, who once worked in the political office of the SLA-MM, decided seven months ago to join the armed resistance against the RSF to protect her people and herself.
Armed groups and locals are taking up arms to resist the increasing RSF threat in El-Fasher and protect their land. Hailing from the Zaghawa, a non-Arab Darfuri tribe, Ismail shares her fears for her family living in the nearby Zamzam displacement camp. The RSF’s brutal history, including sexual violence and ethnic cleansing against non-Arab tribes, has left residents of El-Fasher deeply anxious about the paramilitary’s potential rule.
Historical Context of RSF Threat in El-Fasher
The RSF, once known as the Janjaweed, rose to infamy during the 2003 Darfur conflict. Then-President Omar al-Bashir armed these Arab tribal militias to crush a rebellion by non-Arab groups demanding an end to political and economic marginalization.
The Janjaweed earned a reputation for committing horrific abuses, including burning villages, summary executions, and systematic sexual violence. These actions led to accusations of genocide and ethnic cleansing, particularly targeting non-Arab tribes such as the Zaghawa.
In later years, the Janjaweed were rebranded as the RSF, but their tactics remain largely unchanged. Despite official denials, many Sudanese still refer to them as Janjaweed, underscoring their continued use of terror to control populations and suppress dissent.
Rising Tensions in El-Fasher
The RSF has already seized control of four Darfur states—South, East, West, and Central—and now sets its sights on North Darfur. By encircling El-Fasher and neighboring towns, they’ve sparked fears of an imminent assault.
This growing threat has led to a surge in local recruitment for self-defense groups, particularly among the non-Arab tribes. Ethnic divisions between Arab and non-Arab communities have sharpened, with both sides preparing for a potential all-out war.
According to international observers, the RSF could capture El-Fasher at any moment. While local armed groups have united against the paramilitary, the balance of power remains precarious. Many residents live in constant fear, unsure if their city will fall.
The Impact of RSF Threat in El-Fasher on Zamzam Camp
The RSF threat in El-Fasher has pushed thousands into the overcrowded Zamzam displacement camp. Southwest of El-Fasher lies Zamzam camp, a sprawling refuge for displaced people, mostly from the Zaghawa tribe. With a population swelling to over 500,000 since April 2023, the camp has become both a sanctuary and a target.
If El-Fasher falls, many believe the RSF will storm Zamzam to uproot and massacre its residents. The camp serves as the only corridor for civilians fleeing to Chad and for aid organizations trying to deliver much-needed supplies. However, aid has been severely limited by RSF blockades.
In August, the UN declared a famine in Zamzam, blaming warring parties for obstructing food deliveries. While some aid has trickled in through Chad, it’s far from sufficient. Relief organizations estimate that 8,000 tonnes of food are needed monthly to meet the camp’s needs, but only a fraction has been delivered.
Persistent Attacks and Famine
The RSF’s actions have made life in Zamzam increasingly unbearable. In addition to food shortages, residents face constant shelling and aerial drone attacks. These assaults have already claimed lives and displaced thousands more, creating one of Sudan’s worst humanitarian crises.
Doctors Without Borders and other organizations have warned that the famine in Zamzam will worsen unless more aid reaches the camp. Yet, RSF roadblocks and targeted attacks on humanitarian convoys make delivering food and medicine a dangerous endeavor.
Despite these challenges, the camp’s inhabitants remain resilient. Many have joined self-defense groups, known as “mustanfireen,” to protect their communities from potential RSF atrocities.
The Humanitarian Emergency Intensifies
As El-Fasher braces for an RSF assault, the humanitarian crisis in Darfur continues to escalate. Over 11 million people across Sudan have been displaced, making it the world’s largest displacement crisis.
The RSF’s history of targeting displacement camps has heightened fears for Zamzam’s residents. In November 2023, the paramilitary killed 1,300 unarmed civilians in Ardamata camp after seizing the area. Many in Zamzam worry they could face a similar fate.
Satellite imagery from November shows fighters in Zamzam taking defensive positions in preparation for a possible RSF attack. However, relief workers warn that even these efforts may not be enough to prevent a massacre if El-Fasher falls.
The RSF’s Denials and Contradictions
RSF spokesperson Al-Fateh al-Qurashi has denied targeting Zaghawa communities or obstructing aid. He dismissed accusations as “laughable” and claimed the RSF includes Zaghawa recruits, a statement that remains unverified.
However, the group’s deputy leader, Abdelraheem Dagalo, has previously framed the violence in Darfur as a tribal war. This rhetoric deflects from credible allegations that the RSF has carried out mass atrocities, including the killing of 15,000 people from the Masalit tribe in West Darfur’s el-Geneina.
Despite these denials, evidence of RSF abuses continues to mount. Reports from rights groups and UN investigations document mass killings, forced displacements, and systematic use of sexual violence—all of which may amount to crimes against humanity.
The Road Ahead for El-Fasher and Darfur
The looming RSF threat over El-Fasher is a grim reminder of the enduring conflict in Darfur. While local armed groups and self-defense militias have mobilized to resist, the paramilitary’s superior firepower and history of brutality leave the city’s future uncertain.
Humanitarian organizations are urging the international community to step up efforts to deliver aid and hold perpetrators accountable for war crimes. However, without significant intervention, the crisis in Darfur is likely to worsen.
As residents of El-Fasher and Zamzam camp await their fate, their resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship stands as a testament to their determination to survive. The world’s attention remains critical in ensuring that their plight does not go unnoticed.
