Amnesty reports dramatic population collapse and widespread abuse in El Fasher

Amnesty International’s latest field research reveals that El Fasher’s population has fallen to roughly 70,000, representing about 7% of its previous high, after a collapse of more than 90%. The city, seized a year ago by the Emirati-backed Rapid Support Forces, now endures widespread unlawful killings, arbitrary detention, torture and constant surveillance, according to testimonies from 25 civilians and humanitarian staff.

Interviewees describe being held in schools converted to detention centres, where women, children, the elderly and wounded face severe malnutrition, beatings, forced labour and ransom extortion. Specific accounts include a 29-year-old Zaghawa man who escaped execution in detention, a Berti man injured by shrapnel who was beaten while trying to flee, and a Zaghawa individual whose family paid a ransom for his release. Amnesty calls for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained persons, an end to torture and illegal killings, and the deployment of an international force to protect civilians, while urging all countries to halt arms transfers to the RSF and the United Arab Emirates.