North Darfur governor declares mobilization to retake El Fasher

January 3, 2026 (PORT SUDAN) – North Darfur Acting Governor Al-Hafiz Bakhit on Saturday declared a general mobilization and the opening of training camps to reclaim El Fasher, in his first public appearance since the fall of the state capital.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of El Fasher on October 26, following a land siege and continuous fighting lasting a year and a half. The North Darfur governor, along with some army commanders and Joint Forces leaders, withdrew from the city hours before its fall.

Speaking during a briefing for North Darfur leaders in the eastern city of Port Sudan, Bakhit said he has announced a general mobilization for all youth and state components to liberate El Fasher and clear the Darfur region of the RSF.

He indicated his intention to conduct inspection tours of displaced persons’ camps in White Nile, Khartoum, Kassala, Northern, and River Nile states to assess conditions and find solutions to their problems.

The acting governor explained that the priority of these tours includes health and education issues, the issuance of identification documents, and the provision of food and shelter materials.

The governor stated that he decided to form coordination bodies to follow up on these issues with officials in the relevant states. This includes efforts to reduce or waive tuition fees, coordinate Sudan School Certificate examination centres for 2026 for displaced students, and issue health insurance cards.

Life in El Fasher has become unsustainable after the RSF destroyed water sources, markets, and medical facilities during the fighting. The group also reportedly committed mass killings and sexual violence after taking control of the city.