Port Sudan, October 30 (Darfur24)
The Governor of the Darfur region and General Supervisor of the Joint Force, Minni Arko Minawi, said on Thursday that up to 50,000 people remain trapped inside El Fasher following the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) takeover of the city.
Speaking to Darfur24, Minawi said the exact number of casualties has not yet been determined due to the difficult conditions on the ground. He noted that the city had been home to thousands of residents even a month before its fall.
He added that around half of those fleeing toward Tawila were being targeted by RSF forces along the way, and said that RSF personnel had been instructed to stop filming and sharing content on social media.
Minawi called on international institutions to launch an immediate investigation and take urgent action against RSF leaders Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Abdel Rahim Dagalo, and Al-Qouni Dagalo.
The RSF announced on Sunday that it had seized control of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, an event that was followed by widespread reports of abuses against civilians, including summary executions, according to the UN Human Rights Commission.
RSF Commander Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti” later announced the formation of legal and military committees to investigate the violations, pledging accountability for any member found responsible.
On Thursday, RSF Second Commander Lieutenant General Abdel Rahim Hamdan Dagalo issued a command order directing forces to protect civilians and adhere to military discipline and international humanitarian law, warning that any violators would face field court proceedings under the RSF Act of 2017.