The United States’ envoy to Sudan has issued a stark warning that El-Fasher, the last city under Sudanese military control in western Darfur, could soon fall to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. The RSF, engaged in a brutal civil war with Sudan’s military for over a year, recently attacked and looted a key hospital in El-Fasher, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Tom Perriello, the U.S. envoy to Sudan, emphasized that some elements within the RSF believe capturing El-Fasher could pave the way for establishing an independent Darfur state. However, Perriello firmly stated that the United States would not recognize such a breakaway state under any circumstances. The RSF’s recent assault on the South Hospital, the only surgical facility in El-Fasher, involved firing on medical staff and patients, forcing its closure and leaving the city with only two overstretched hospitals.
The attack has left hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped in El-Fasher without adequate medical care, food, or water. The hospital’s closure has further strained the already limited medical resources, with the World Health Organization and other humanitarian groups condemning the violence. The RSF’s actions have also drawn international condemnation, with UN officials expressing horror at the escalating violence and its devastating impact on civilians.
Michel Lacharite, head of emergency operations at Doctors Without Borders, called the attack “outrageous,” noting that opening fire inside a hospital crosses a significant line. Despite efforts to evacuate patients and transfer medical services, the constant shelling and gunfire have made it increasingly difficult to provide care. The city’s remaining health facilities are overwhelmed, treating an influx of casualties daily amid severe shortages of medical supplies and personnel.
El-Fasher has become a battleground, with the Sudanese military forming alliances with rebel groups to retain control. The ongoing conflict, which has already displaced hundreds of thousands, continues to cause widespread suffering and destruction. Volunteer committees have been trying to support the remaining hospitals by sourcing medicine and supplies, but the situation remains dire.
The U.S. envoy has called for an immediate ceasefire in El-Fasher to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe. The fall of the city could lead to even greater horrors, with increased casualties and mass displacement as civilians flee the violence. Perriello stressed the need for a diplomatic resolution to halt the fighting and address the broader conflict affecting all of Sudan.
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