Urgent crisis looms in Sudan’s Darfur as 2 million face imminent threat of massacre

In a dire warning, a senior US official has alerted the international community to an impending “large-scale massacre” in El Fasher, Darfur, where more than 2 million people are at risk. The threat stems from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group with a history tied to past genocidal actions in the region.

The conflict has escalated due to an armed power struggle between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces, spreading from Khartoum to other parts of Sudan and now endangering North Darfur. Urgent calls have been made for the RSF to end its siege, all parties to de-escalate, and for the protection of civilians and adherence to international law.

Humanitarian access to El Fasher has been severely compromised, affecting aid delivery to over 330,000 food-insecure individuals. Civilians, including vulnerable ethnic groups, are trapped in the conflict zone, prompting calls for safe passage out of the city.

The UN Security Council has reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and compliance with the UN arms embargo. With millions already displaced and facing acute hunger, the situation demands urgent international intervention to prevent further loss of life and avert a humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur.