MSF describes Sudanese city of El Fasher as a destroyed 'ghost town'

The humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has characterized the Sudanese city of El Fasher as a largely destroyed "ghost town" following its seizure by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In its first visit since suspending operations in August 2024, an MSF team witnessed extensive devastation and abandoned neighborhoods in the North Darfur capital, highlighting the severe human cost of the ongoing Sudanese conflict.

Grim Findings from a Brief, Supervised Visit

According to a statement released Wednesday, MSF personnel were granted limited access to El Fasher on January 15 for a four-hour assessment under constant security supervision. The team observed that only a small number of civilians remained or had returned after the RSF takeover in October. The visit revealed vast areas of destruction, a stark contrast to the city's former status as a bustling regional hub in northeastern Africa.

Scale of Displacement and Violence

MSF warned that the eerie emptiness of the city serves as a grim reminder of the scale of violence, indicating that much of the civilian population has been killed or forcibly displaced. The organization's findings align with accounts from patients treated in nearby Tawila, who reported mass killings, torture, and kidnappings in El Fasher and along escape routes. The team encountered small groups of remaining civilians, mostly women, children, and the elderly, at displacement sites and a handful of male patients with old injuries in health facilities.

Ongoing Conflict and Regional Implications

The devastation in El Fasher is a result of the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, which began on April 15, 2023. Despite regional and international mediation attempts, the conflict continues, having killed thousands and displaced millions across Sudan and into neighboring countries. The crisis poses significant challenges for regional stability and humanitarian response, with organizations like MSF now focusing on locating and assisting survivors in Darfur and along the border with Chad. Türkiye, along with other nations, continues to monitor the situation closely due to its broader implications for African stability and the global humanitarian landscape.