Over 30 Nations Demand End to El Fasher Siege, Warn of Famine and War Crimes

Over 30 countries and international bodies have urged an immediate end to the siege of El Fasher, North Darfur, warning that hundreds of thousands are trapped without food, water, or medical care amid fighting between the RSF and Sudanese army. The joint statement condemned famine, cholera, mass killings, sexual violence, and other war crimes, calling for a humanitarian pause, safe civilian passage, and unrestricted aid access.

Senior officials representing more than 30 countries and international organisations on Thursday issued an urgent appeal for an immediate end to the siege of El Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur region. Their joint statement painted a grim picture of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the city, where hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped in the midst of relentless fighting between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The officials warned that those trapped have been cut off from food, clean water, and medical care, with no safe escape routes, as the conflict rages on.

“All parties to the conflict are responsible for ensuring the protection of civilians in Darfur and Kordofan,” the statement stressed, adding a stark warning: “This cannot continue.” The signatories — which include senior representatives from the United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, Norway, Sweden, the European Union, and other nations — underscored that all trade routes and supply lines to El Fasher have been completely severed. For over a year, humanitarian organisations have been unable to deliver lifesaving assistance to those in desperate need.

They recalled that famine was first officially confirmed in camps near El Fasher in August 2024 and has since spread further, with expectations that it will worsen during the ongoing lean season. The human toll has been severe: in the past week alone, more than 60 people are reported to have died from malnutrition. The situation is being compounded by a surge in cholera cases, which is exacerbating the suffering and significantly increasing mortality rates among already weakened populations.

The statement condemned what it described as “horrific violations” of international humanitarian law. These include alarming levels of conflict-related sexual violence, targeted attacks on markets and hospitals, and mass killings of civilians. Citing credible reports, the officials highlighted that more than 1,500 civilians were allegedly killed in April in the Zamzam displacement camp, while at least 40 civilians lost their lives in a recent assault on the Abu Shouk camp. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has stated there are “reasonable grounds to believe” that war crimes and crimes against humanity have been — and are still being — committed in Darfur.

The appeal called on the RSF and its allied forces to end the siege of El Fasher in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2736. It urged them to allow a humanitarian pause that would permit rapid, safe, and unconditional delivery of aid to those in need, as well as to facilitate the voluntary and secure movement of civilians out of areas experiencing active hostilities. The Sudanese Armed Forces were likewise urged to renew their commitment to this humanitarian pause, to permanently open the Adre border crossing for humanitarian access, and to remove bureaucratic barriers that are delaying or preventing the delivery of aid.

The statement concluded with a message of solidarity: “We stand with the people of Sudan and with humanitarian organisations, both local and international, who are working tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions to assist them. Civilians must be protected, humanitarian access must be granted, and accountability must be ensured.” The officials emphasised that the situation in El Fasher represents a deepening humanitarian crisis that demands immediate and coordinated international action before even more lives are lost.