KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has voiced grave concern over the escalating humanitarian disaster in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, where the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) recently seized control after an 18-month siege. The development has intensified fears of atrocities reminiscent of the early 2000s Darfur genocide.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described the situation as “a humanitarian catastrophe” marked by mass killings, starvation, and displacement. He warned that reports of atrocities could amount to crimes against humanity or even genocide. “Malaysia calls for an immediate cessation of violence and for the protection of civilians in full accordance with international humanitarian law,” he said in a statement.
The fall of El Fasher on 26 October 2025 has been described by analysts as a turning point in Sudan’s civil war. The RSF’s capture of the city, previously the last stronghold of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Darfur, has left hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped without safe passage. Aid agencies report that thousands remain missing, while only a fraction of those who fled have reached nearby towns such as Tawila.
According to the United Nations, the situation is “terrifying,” with hospitals attacked, food supplies cut off, and civilians subjected to violence. Tom Fletcher, the UN’s Emergency Relief Coordinator, said he was “deeply alarmed” by the scale of civilian suffering and called for immediate humanitarian access.
Eyewitness accounts gathered by international media describe killings, sexual violence, and forced displacement carried out by RSF fighters. Survivors who escaped to makeshift camps in Tawila recounted harrowing experiences of being hunted and abused. Aid groups warn that famine conditions are emerging, with children and the elderly most at risk.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has also condemned the violence, citing “grave breaches of international humanitarian law.” Regional observers fear that the fall of El Fasher could embolden the RSF to expand its control across Darfur, further destabilising Sudan.
Malaysia’s intervention adds to growing international pressure for a ceasefire and accountability. Anwar Ibrahim urged the global community to act decisively to prevent further suffering, restore humanitarian access, and support a credible peace process. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan,” he affirmed.
The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023 between the SAF led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemidti), has already left more than 20,000 people dead and displaced over 13 million. With 30 million Sudanese now in need of humanitarian assistance, the crisis is being described as one of the world’s worst unfolding emergencies.
For Malaysia, the crisis resonates beyond humanitarian concerns. As a member of the international community, Kuala Lumpur has consistently advocated for peace, stability, and adherence to international law. Its call for urgent action reflects both moral responsibility and a recognition of the broader implications of instability in Africa for global security.
Sources: Sarawak Daily, Anwar Ibrahim FB Page, UN News
