El-Obeid under RSF siege raises fears of a repeat of el-Fasher

The United Nations has issued a stark warning of a potential humanitarian catastrophe in the Sudanese city of el-Obeid, where the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have tightened their siege in recent weeks. International observers fear the situation could mirror the atrocities documented in el-Fasher last year, where civilians were caught in a protracted siege that ended in widespread violence and displacement.

A widening war in central Sudan

El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state and a strategic hub linking central Sudan to Darfur and Khartoum, has emerged as a focal point in the broader conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF. The fighting, which erupted in April 2023, has already displaced millions across the country and pushed parts of Sudan toward famine. Control of el-Obeid would give either side a significant logistical advantage, raising the stakes for the civilian population still trapped inside.

Echoes of el-Fasher

Humanitarian agencies have drawn direct comparisons between the current situation in el-Obeid and the siege of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. Reports from el-Fasher described systematic attacks on civilians, mass displacement, and severe restrictions on the delivery of food and medical supplies. The UN has cautioned that without immediate international intervention and unhindered humanitarian access, el-Obeid could face a similar trajectory.

Humanitarian access under strain

Limited access to el-Obeid has made it difficult for aid organizations to verify conditions on the ground. Communications have been disrupted, and reports suggest shortages of food, water, fuel, and medical supplies are becoming increasingly severe. Relief agencies have called on both warring parties to allow safe corridors for civilians seeking to flee and for convoys carrying essential assistance.

Regional and international response

The conflict in Sudan has drawn concern from regional bodies and international partners, who have repeatedly called for a ceasefire and a return to civilian-led governance. Mediation efforts led by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and African Union envoys have so far failed to produce a durable agreement. As el-Obeid comes under increasing pressure, diplomats and humanitarian officials are urging renewed engagement to prevent further civilian suffering.

The developments in el-Obeid underscore the urgency of a political solution to a conflict that has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and destabilized the wider region. With the memory of el-Fasher still fresh, international attention is once again turning to the central Sudanese city, where the coming weeks could determine the fate of hundreds of thousands of civilians.

Source: Al Jazeera — read the original report.