RSF Paramilitary Forces Close In on El Geneina City in Western Darfur

Sudanese Paramilitary Group on Verge of Taking Over Historic City in Western Darfur KHARTOUM, Sudan (Sept. 21, 2025) - A Sudanese paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), is on the brink of capturing the historic city of El Geneina in Western Darfur, a development that has sparked concerns about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the country. The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has been at war with the Sudanese army since April 2025. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. According to eyewitnesses, the RSF has made significant gains in recent days, pushing into El Geneina, a city of over 500,000 people. "We are witnessing a humanitarian disaster unfolding before our eyes," said Dr. Amira Abdalla, a Sudanese doctor who has been working with refugees in the region. "The situation is dire, and we fear for the lives of civilians caught in the crossfire." El Geneina is a strategic city located in Western Darfur, an oil-rich region that has long been a source of tension between the RSF and the army. The city's capture would give the RSF control over key infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and oil fields. The conflict in Sudan has its roots in the country's 30-year civil war, which ended with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005. However, the agreement failed to address the underlying issues of poverty, inequality, and marginalization that fueled the conflict. The RSF, which was formed by General Dagalo in 2013, has been accused of human rights abuses and war crimes. The international community has expressed concern about the situation in Sudan. The United Nations has called for a ceasefire and an end to the violence, while the African Union has urged the parties to engage in dialogue. As the RSF closes in on El Geneina, humanitarian organizations are bracing themselves for the worst. "We are preparing for the worst-case scenario," said a spokesperson for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). "The situation is volatile, and we fear for the safety of civilians." The Sudanese government has accused the RSF of attempting to overthrow the democratically elected government, while the RSF claims it is fighting against corruption and mismanagement. The conflict has left thousands of people dead or displaced, with many more at risk. As the situation in El Geneina continues to deteriorate, the international community is watching closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. However, with both sides dug in and refusing to back down, it remains to be seen whether a ceasefire can be achieved before it's too late. Associated Press writers contributed to this report from Khartoum, Sudan, and Nairobi, Kenya. *Reporting by Npr.*