The Sudan Media Forum, a coalition of independent media outlets and organizations, has strongly condemned the escalating violence committed by the Rapid Support Forces against civilians in Sudan, particularly in the besieged city of El Fasher. The city and its surroundings have been under a tightening siege for over 18 months, resulting in hundreds of thousands of civilians being trapped and facing malnutrition, disease, and daily violence.
According to the United Nations, at least 1,350 civilians have been killed in El Fasher, with the organization believing this figure to be a significant underrepresentation of the real number due to communication blackouts and access challenges. The alleged acts of war crimes and grave human rights violations, including summary executions, ethnically motivated killings, widespread sexual violence, and the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, demonstrate a complete disregard for international law and human dignity.
The Sudan Media Forum is calling for urgent and unhindered humanitarian access to all towns and areas affected by the conflict. The deliberate obstruction of aid is exacerbating the suffering of millions, with the United Nations confirming that access to El Fasher remains blocked and humanitarian capacity is shrinking as needs soar. The forum demands the immediate and unconditional opening of safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all affected areas.
The civilian population, especially those trapped under siege, is facing catastrophic levels of hunger, disease, and displacement. The Rapid Support Forces must cease all attacks on civilians, medical facilities, and humanitarian workers, guarantee safe passage for aid convoys and humanitarian personnel, and remove all bureaucratic and physical barriers that impede the delivery of life-saving food, medicine, and shelter.
The international community is being urged to exert maximum pressure to ensure these demands are met, as the lives of millions of Sudanese civilians depend on it. The Sudan Media Forum’s statement aims to shed light on the ongoing atrocities and humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Darfur, highlighting the need for immediate action to address the crisis. With the situation continuing to deteriorate, it is essential that the international community takes a robust and coordinated approach to ensure the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.