Calls Grow for Humanitarian Ceasefire in Sudan as RSF Forces Seize Key City of El Fasher in Darfur

Sudan's military has withdrawn from El Fasher, its last stronghold in the country's Darfur region, ceding control of the city to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces after an 18-month siege. The United Nations and the African Union have called for safe passage for civilians and an immediate ceasefire, condemning reports of war crimes by RSF fighters including summary executions of civilians. Fighting between the Sudanese military and RSF has killed more than 150,000 people and displaced about 12 million since 2023.

"This just shows us that what the Sudanese Armed Forces have been promising, which is a military victory that is going to end the war, is nowhere near happening," says Sudanese activist Marine Alneel, joining us from Nairobi, Kenya. She says the capture of El Fasher raises fears of "basically two governments" and calls on external powers, including the United Arab Emirates, which backs the RSF, and the United States, to push for humanitarian measures.