White House urges RSF to halt El Fasher attacks

September 14, 2024 (WASHINGTON) – The White House on Thursday called on Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to immediately stop attacks on El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, where the paramilitary group has been besieging the city for months.

“The RSF’s attacks on IDP camps and hospitals are especially appalling,” White House National Security Council Spokesperson Sean Savett said in a statement. “We call on the international community to join us in urging the RSF to protect civilians by stopping its assault on El Fasher now.”

The paramilitary forces launched a large-scale attack on El Fasher on Thursday, but the army and allied forces repelled it, killing hundreds of its fighters.

The RSF’s siege of El Fasher has escalated in recent days, threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands of Sudanese already facing famine and displacement, he added.

Despite commitments to stop attacks on residential areas and allow humanitarian access to civilians in Darfur, reports continue to emerge about the bombing of neighbourhoods and the blockade of humanitarian convoys by RSF elements.

On Wednesday, medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned of a severe malnutrition crisis in the RSF-besieged Zamzam displacement camps.

“Without supplies, we’ve been forced to reduce our services,” MSF said, urging the RSF to implement its commitments.

In a separate statement, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield also voiced concern about the continued RSF attacks on El Fasher.

“I urge RSF to halt its attack, including bombardments destroying infrastructure and threatening civilian life, and fulfil its commitments to the international community to protect civilians,” she said.

The conflict in Sudan erupted in April between the army and the RSF, killing thousands and displacing millions.

In August, the United States established the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) Group, a coalition of several nations, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The U.S. administration stated that the UAE plays a crucial role in encouraging the RSF to collaborate with international efforts to resolve the conflict.