Pay up or be executed: El Fasher survivors speak of kidnappings and mass killings

Testimonies from survivors expose a systematic campaign of executions and extortion in El Fasher, Sudan.

Background of Conflicts in Darfur

Most Arab groups in Darfur are nomadic herders of cattle and camels, while non-Arab groups are generally sedentary farmers. The conflicts between these communities have primarily stemmed from disputes over land and natural resources, droughts forcing herders into farming areas, and interference by Khartoum and other foreign powers.

Although identities hardened and militarised during wartime, the conflict has never been absolute. Some Arab groups supported the Janjaweed militia in the early 2000s, while others remained neutral. All communities in Darfur have experienced marginalisation by Khartoum elites.

Survivor Testimony: Ibrahim’s Experience

TAWILA, Sudan – Ibrahim returned to El Fasher to smuggle food for his starving family just as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized the city after an 18-month siege. He quickly became trapped in what he described as a killing field.

RSF vehicles ran through crowds, knocking down and running over people.
Ibrahim was captured along with hundreds of others and taken to a nearby reservoir.
Most detainees were executed in the days that followed.

"As I tried to escape, RSF vehicles ploughed through crowds, knocking people down and running over bodies."

Ibrahim’s account is one of nearly a dozen shared with The New Humanitarian by survivors who fled El Fasher, one of the largest cities in western Darfur, now under control of a ruthless militia.

The New Humanitarian — 2025-11-04