Rapid Support Forces seize IDP camp near El Fasher, North Darfur

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized the Zamzam camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), located approximately 15 kilometres from El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, Sudan, after three days of concentrated attacks.

The attacks form part of the RSF’s offensive targeting Zamzam and Abu Souk IDP camps and the siege on El Fasher.

Reports of severe violations have emerged from the region over the last few days. At least 200 civilians have been killed and dozens injured, and UNICEF confirmed that at least 150 children were killed in the area over the past three months. Zamzam and Abu Souk are the largest IDP camps in Sudan, housing over 700,000 people. The recent attacks included the killing of all medical personnel in the only clinic in Zamzam, and the targeting of civilians.

CSW sources fear that the RSF will likely carry out similar atrocities to those witnessed in El Geneina, West Darfur – which are widely believed to have amounted to ethnic cleansing – if it successfully captures El Fasher.

As a result of the latest attacks more than 3,000 families fled Zamzam camp for El Fasher, where civilians are facing acute hunger due to an RSF siege that has been ongoing for a year despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an end to the blockade and the protection of civilians.

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: ‘CSW is highly concerned at the capture of Zamzam and Abu Souk camps by the RSF, and its continued siege of El Fasher. As the UK Foreign Secretary hosts a meeting of Ministers on Sudan in London this week to seek a solution to the ongoing humanitarian and human rights crisis, we call on governments to take serious steps to ensure that countries that are currently fuelling the war and breaching the UN Security Council arms embargo in Darfur are made to respect Resolution 2750, which lays out sanctions against warring parties in the country. We also urge the ministers and international community to ensure that urgent humanitarian assistance for Sudan is facilitated and that accountability measures that will break the cycles of impunity especially in Darfur are robustly supported.’