Crisis Deepens in Sudan’s Darfur as Al-Fashir Faces Relentless Siege, Worsening Famine, and Cholera Outbreak

Al-Fashir, Sudan – Hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped in Al-Fashir, the last stronghold of the Sudanese army in western Darfur, as relentless shelling, drone strikes, famine, and disease grip the city amid intensifying conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Residents report near-constant bombardment, widespread hunger, and a collapsing health system as the siege of Al-Fashir enters a critical phase in Sudan’s civil war, now in its third year. Electricity has been cut, bakeries shuttered, and essential medical supplies have all but disappeared.

“The RSF’s artillery and drones bombard us day and night,” one resident told Reuters. “The number of people dying increases daily. The cemeteries are expanding.”

The war erupted in April 2023, following a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the RSF—formerly allied factions—over plans to unify their forces. While the RSF initially captured territory in central Sudan, including parts of Khartoum, the army's counter-offensive pushed the conflict westward, culminating in intensified fighting in Al-Fashir.

The fall of the city would hand the RSF control over nearly all of Darfur, a region bordering Libya, Chad, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan. Analysts warn it could accelerate Sudan's de facto fragmentation.

Starvation and Disease Gripping the Besieged

In Al-Fashir, the human toll is staggering. Displaced families, many already living in squalid camps, are now facing famine conditions. A local doctor, speaking anonymously for safety, said hunger was a more pressing danger than the bombings.

“The children are malnourished. The adults are malnourished. Even I haven’t eaten today because there’s nothing to find,” she said.

Efforts to deliver humanitarian aid have been blocked or attacked, locals say. Goods smuggled into the city are sold at prices five times the national average. Residents have resorted to consuming ambaz, a feed made from peanut shells, which is itself now in short supply.

Fleeing the Siege: A Perilous Journey

Those attempting to escape Al-Fashir face deadly risks. Many have fled toward Tawila, about 60 kilometers west, only to be attacked en route by RSF fighters.

“They robbed us, killed people in front of us, and kidnapped girls,” said 19-year-old Enaam Abdallah, a survivor of multiple attacks during her flight.

On Monday, human rights group Emergency Lawyers reported at least 14 civilians killed and dozens injured during an attack on fleeing residents in a village outside the city.

Tawila is now overwhelmed, hosting over half a million displaced people, most arriving since April when the RSF stormed Al-Fashir and raided the sprawling Zamzam displacement camp to the south.

Yet, resources in Tawila are critically scarce. Aid groups, already stretched thin due to foreign funding cuts, are unable to provide adequate shelter, food, or medical care. Families report receiving minimal rations of rice or sorghum, often insufficient for survival.

Cholera Outbreak Worsens Amid Rainy Season

As the rainy season takes hold, cholera has begun to spread rapidly in overcrowded and unsanitary camps. According to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), over 2,500 cases have been treated since mid-June.

At least 52 deaths have been recorded, according to the Coordinating Committee for Displaced People, a local advocacy group. Limited access to clean water and proper sanitation is accelerating the outbreak. The Norwegian Refugee Council found that only 10% of Tawila’s population has reliable access to water, with even fewer having access to latrines.

“We don’t have houses, tarps, or shelter from the rain,” said Huda Ali, a mother of four. “I try to ensure my children wash their hands and eat only properly heated food, but there is only so much we can do.”

Calls for Ceasefire Ignored

Last month, the United Nations appealed for a humanitarian pause in fighting around Al-Fashir as the rains began, but the RSF rejected the request.

Meanwhile, violence continues to escalate across Sudan’s Kordofan region, which borders Darfur, as both factions seek to solidify territorial control amid stalled peace talks and failed mediation efforts.

As conditions deteriorate, international observers warn that Sudan is hurtling toward a catastrophic humanitarian collapse, with millions of civilians caught in the crossfire of a war showing no sign of resolution.