Darfuri Leaders Convene to Address El Fasher Siege and Conflict Concerns – International Edition
On April 22, 2025, political leaders and representatives from various armed factions in Sudan’s Darfur region convened for discussions focused on alleviating the humanitarian consequences caused by the blockade enforced by paramilitary units around El Fasher, which serves as the main city in North Darfur. Their aim was also to avoid an escalation leading to broader hostilities.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been surrounding El Fasher for almost a year now, preventing essential items like food and medicine from entering. The conditions within the city have deteriorated severely due to constant bombardment from artillery fire and drone strikes every day.
A member of the initiative, Al-Sadiq Ali Hassan, informed Sudan Tribune on Tuesday that "a group of individuals from Darfur have started extensive discussions and reached out to multiple parties to alleviate the severe consequences of the El Fasher blockade."
Hassan stated that the initiative seeks to ease the delivery of humanitarian assistance, stop Darfur from spiraling into a broader civil war, and eventually bring an end to the conflict.
Humanitarian organizations suggest that 79% of Darfur's population needs assistance and protection this year, especially within IDP camps where food shortages and malnourishment are widespread. Fighting groups persistently hinder the distribution of aid.
Hassan mentioned that the concept for these consultations was put forth by Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Suleiman and has garnered backing from notable Darfuri political, civic, and community figures.
The participants allegedly comprise Ali al-Hajj (Secretary-General of the Popular Congress Party), Mohammed Abdullah al-Doma (head of the National Umma Party), Salih Mahmoud (leader of the Sudanese Communist Party), Abdullah Harran (deputy head of the Sudan Liberation Movement faction under Abdel Wahid al-Nur, known as SLM-AW), and Mahmoud Korbina (in charge of legal matters in the SLM faction headed by Minni Arko Minnawi, referred to as SLM-MM). Others were also present.
Hassan stated that the discussions are currently in an initial, trust-establishing stage, with plans to expand their focus to tackle the nationwide conflict, which poses a risk of driving Sudan towards full-scale warfare.
Hassan emphasized that the discussions keep a national emphasis geared towards maintaining Sudan’s cohesion.
His remarks follow reports indicating that the RSF is attempting to create an alternative government and intends to introduce new money and identification papers following their agreement with partners to draft a fresh constitution, which has sparked concerns about the nation's potential division.