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Darfur, Sudan-In a drastic response to ongoing violence, Minni Minnawi, the governor of the western Sudanese region of Darfur, has urged civilians to arm themselves to defend El-Fasher, the regional capital currently under siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
This call for civilian mobilization follows weeks of intense clashes that have resulted in over 60 deaths and hundreds of injuries since May 10, as reported by the medical charity Doctors Without Borders.
Governor Minnawi issued his plea on the social media platform X, declaring a "general alert" to protect the lives and property of the citizens of El-Fasher.
He accused the RSF of initiating a campaign to mobilize fighters from various regions to invade the city, prompting his call to arms as a defensive measure against the paramilitary group's actions.
The RSF has denied these allegations, accusing Governor Minnawi of "fomenting discord across Darfur" and contributing to the ongoing strife within the region.
The situation in El-Fasher remains tense as both the paramilitary forces and the Sudanese army, along with various armed groups from Darfur, continue to engage in violent clashes that have escalated the conflict.
The humanitarian situation is dire, with the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, expressing grave concern over the safety of over 800,000 civilians caught in the crossfire.
The continued violence poses a significant threat to these individuals, complicating efforts to provide necessary humanitarian aid.
Sudan's brutal civil war, which began in April of the previous year, has seen numerous failed attempts by the international community to mediate and broker a ceasefire.
The ongoing conflict and recent developments in Darfur highlight the complex and volatile nature of Sudan’s political and military landscape, where peace remains elusive despite extensive international intervention efforts.
