The acting governor of Sudan’s North Darfur State, Al-Hafiz Bakhit Mohammed, has called on the chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, to urgently intervene to resolve the worsening security situation in the state, particularly the continued bombardment of Al-Fasher town’s suburbs by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
In a statement from the General Secretariat of the State Government earlier in the week, the governor appealed to Gen. Al-Burhan to work to cease the RSF siege on Al-Fasher to allow humanitarian aid to enter the town, facilitate commercial movements, and ensure the flow of food supplies, especially through the Al-Fasher-Mellit Road.
“The RSF siege has cast a shadow over North Darfur, leading to price hikes and scarcity of food and petroleum products,” he said.
In a show of bravado, Governor Bakhit stated that the RSF is at its weakest in North Darfur following the death of one of its local commanders, Ali Yagoub, and the scattering of its forces which has negatively impacted their morale, especially with the Sudan Air Force targeting their supplies.
“The army can destroy the artillery of the RSF and halt the shelling of the city in the morning and evening and Gen. Al-Burhan should issue direct orders to address these artillery positions,” he said. “The majority of Al-Fasher’s residents are living in the open due to the artillery bombardment, in complex humanitarian conditions without shelter, food, or medicine, as international, regional, and national organizations have withdrawn due to the security situation.”
Governor Bakhit added: “The relative stability in water supply and health is thanks to the air drops by the armed forces.”