RSF Holds Thousands in El-Fasher Amid Dire Conditions, Cholera Outbreak

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) currently detain over 2,300 individuals in Sudan's El-Fasher, according to a local NGO. These detainees face severe conditions, including a cholera outbreak, in makeshift facilities.

Thousands of people remain detained by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Fasher, western Sudan. The city, once the final stronghold for the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Darfur, fell to RSF control in late October. The RSF and SAF have engaged in a civil war since April 2023, displacing millions and creating what the United Nations calls the 'world’s worst humanitarian crisis'.

The Sudan Doctors Network reports 20 doctors, over 1,470 civilians, and 907 military personnel are held in "dire" conditions. These 2,397 individuals endure confinement across multiple makeshift facilities within El-Fasher. Among the detainees are 370 women and 426 children. The RSF holds these individuals in various locations, including Shalla Prison, a children's hospital, and repurposed cargo containers. A cholera outbreak has afflicted these detention centers since February. The disease's spread is exacerbated by poor environmental conditions, a pervasive lack of clean water, and widespread malnutrition among the captives.

The large-scale detention and reported conditions highlight the ongoing humanitarian challenges in El-Fasher. The capture of medical professionals, coupled with critical shortages of medical supplies, further debilitates the region's already strained health sector. International bodies and aid organizations continue to monitor the situation closely. Observers will watch for any independent verification of these reports and potential calls for access to detention facilities.