El Fasher Residents Report Increasing Difficulties in Leaving the City

Residents of El Fasher have reported growing challenges hindering their ability to leave the city, citing soaring travel costs, the absence of safe routes, and fears of abuse by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Abdulrahman Ishaq, a leader within one of El Fasher’s local community groups, stated that residents are increasingly afraid of being subjected to violations while trying to flee the city, especially toward the northwest. He explained that the RSF has dug deep trenches to prevent civilian movement and imposed special exit checkpoints, exposing people to the risk of detention or even death.

Ishaq noted that travel costs have surged to unreasonable levels. For example, the fare for a donkey cart ride from El Fasher to Hilla Al-Sheikh has risen from 40,000 SDG (approximately $13) to 100,000 SDG (around $32). The trip from Hilla Al-Sheikh to Qarni costs another 100,000 SDG, with an additional 100,000 SDG required to reach Kurma — all per person.

The village of Qarni, located on the road linking the northern countryside to El Fasher, has become a key transit point for residents fleeing the city as well as for the delivery of essential supplies into the area.