A 12-year-old boy named Abdiwahab has recounted his harrowing escape from the Sudanese city of el-Fasher after it fell to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), where he was repeatedly beaten and accused of espionage. His story highlights the extreme dangers faced by civilians, particularly children, in the intensifying conflict that has displaced tens of thousands and left many trapped in dire conditions.
Abdiwahab, whose real name is withheld for safety, fled el-Fasher on Sunday as RSF fighters seized control of the city, joining a mass exodus of terrified residents. In a video obtained by the BBC, the boy described how he was separated from his father and siblings during the chaotic escape, forcing him to complete the 80-kilometer journey to the relative safety of Tawila alone. Along the way, he was assaulted multiple times by RSF members who accused him of being a spy, leaving him traumatized and fearful.
The fall of el-Fasher marks a significant escalation in Sudan’s two-and-a-half-year civil war between the army and the RSF, a conflict that has devastated the country and caused widespread suffering. The United Nations estimates that approximately 60,000 people have managed to flee the city in recent days, with many survivors reporting horrific accounts of atrocities, including rape, arbitrary arrests, and summary executions. Men and boys are especially vulnerable to violence, as evidenced by Abdiwahab’s experience and similar testimonies from other escapees.
Humanitarian conditions in and around el-Fasher are catastrophic, with aid agencies struggling to cope with the influx of displaced persons. In Tawila, a temporary camp has been established where new arrivals like Abdiwahab gather, but resources are stretched thin. Volunteer aid workers report that many children arrive unaccompanied, having lost their parents during the perilous journey, and describe scenes of desperation with people suffering from injuries, malnutrition, and severe trauma.
The broader humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by the dangers faced by relief workers themselves. Earlier this week, five Red Crescent volunteers were killed in another state, prompting aid organizations to hesitate in expanding operations due to security concerns. Save the Children has highlighted the urgent needs of mothers and children arriving in Tawila, many of whom escaped with no food or water and are now reliant on overstretched assistance.
In a rare admission, RSF leader Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo acknowledged this week that “violations” had occurred in el-Fasher and promised investigations. A senior UN official noted that the RSF had arrested some suspects, but accountability remains uncertain. Meanwhile, an estimated 260,000 civilians, including 130,000 children, are still trapped in el-Fasher, facing famine-like conditions, collapsed health services, and no safe escape routes.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan shows no signs of abating, with international calls for ceasefires and humanitarian access largely unheeded. Stories like Abdiwahab’s underscore the urgent need for increased global attention and aid to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of millions affected by the war. As the boy remains separated from his family and haunted by his ordeal, his case symbolizes the profound human cost of the crisis.