RSF commander warns of attack on El-Fasher, urges surrender
April 28, 2024 (EL FASHER) – Heightening tensions in Darfur, a prominent Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander called on the Sudanese army and allied former rebel groups in the capital of North Darfur State El-Fsher to surrender before facing an offensive on the city.
The United Nations, the United States, the Kindom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the African Union have expressed grave concerns about the potential attack on El Fasher, a city sheltering tens of thousands of civilians displaced by the ongoing conflict in Darfur.
For weeks, the RSF has been mobilizing thousands of fighters, including some from Arab tribal militias, around the capital of North Darfur, raising fears of an imminent assault. In response, the army and allied rebel groups have bolstered their defences in heavily populated neighbourhoods crowded with war victims.
RSF Commander Ali Rizkallah, known as “Al-Savna” told Sudan Tribune from outside El Fasher that attacking the capital of North Darfur and other remaining army strongholds in the state is a “legitimate military objective”.
He urged the army and former rebels to surrender and seek peaceful solutions to avoid an attack.
Al-Savna harshly criticized international calls for restraint by the RSF. He accused the UN and the international community of turning a blind eye to the army’s aerial bombardments of El Fasher and other cities, claiming they cause civilian casualties and destroy essential infrastructure. He further alleged that the army’s actions disrupt livestock farming and worsen the humanitarian crisis.
Humanitarian concerns
El Fasher remains the lone major city in Darfur that is not under RSF control. In recent months, the RSF has captured South, Central, East, and West Darfur.
Al-Savna denied blocking commercial goods and humanitarian aid from reaching El Fasher. He clarified that the RSF only intercepts vehicles carrying military supplies to the army garrison within the city.
He alleged that armed groups looted humanitarian supplies and delivered them to their own people in the border cities of Tina, Ambro, and Karnoi, near Chad.
The RSF commander, who recently moved from Khartoum, asserted that the RSF facilitates the passage of commercial convoys from Libya and secures their travel from Malha to the Mellit customs station. He added that the RSF recently restarted the Mellit customs station and handed control to a local committee.
Potential prisoner release
Al-Savna hinted at the possible release of captured fighters of Darfur groups detained after the RSF takeover of Mellit.
He emphasized that these individuals, some of whom are minors, are “people of Darfur” and will be reunited with their families.
The RSF’s capture of Mellit, a strategic town north of El Fasher, cut an essential humanitarian aid route to western Sudan. The ongoing tensions and potential attack on El Fasher raise serious concerns about the safety of civilians and further disruption of humanitarian aid deliveries.