Statement by Hichem Khadhraoui, CIVIC’s Executive Director

Geneva, 31 October, 2025 – The fall of El Fasher to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after an 18-month siege marks a devastating and deeply dangerous new phase in Sudan’s conflict.

The fall of El Fasher must serve as an urgent wake-up call for the world. Civilians have endured unimaginable suffering, and without decisive international action, what remains of Sudan’s social fabric may be irreparably torn apart.

CIVIC is alarmed by reports of ethnically-motivated killings, torture, and targeted attacks against civilians in the aftermath of the takeover of the town by RSF. This tragedy underscores a grim reality: the nature of the conflict in Sudan has shifted. The fall of El Fasher risks igniting further intercommunal tensions, deepening ethnic polarization, and fuelling risk of further atrocities.
The regional implications — particularly for communities along the Sudan–Chad frontier — could be severe.

As thousands of women, men, and children continue to bear the brunt of this war, the world cannot stand by while they are starved, displaced, and slaughtered. The people of Sudan deserve far more than the world’s silence and inaction.

I call on all parties to the conflict — and on international and regional actors — to act now:

• Protect civilians and ensure their safe passage from conflict areas.
• Cease all attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and humanitarian convoys.
• Grant full and unhindered humanitarian access to all affected areas, including El Fasher, the broader North Darfur region, and to the neighbouring locations where civilians are fleeing in search of safety and assistance.
• Hold accountable those responsible for atrocities and violations of international law.
• Immediately halt the flow of weapons to parties committing violations and their international backers.

Sudan stands at a critical juncture. Without urgent protection of civilians, meaningful accountability, and full humanitarian access, the country risks descending into an even more destructive phase of conflict, and one that could engulf the entire region.

CIVIC in Sudan

CIVIC engages with communities, local groups, and armed actors to reduce harm to civilians. Our work aims to enhance the protection of civilians in affected areas such as Khartoum, Kassala, South Darfur and West Kordofan by supporting locally-led, civilian-driven initiatives.

For additional information or media inquiries, please contact:

Hajer Naili, Director of Communications, [email protected], +31 6 21 69 68 86/ +1 917 889 5982 (WhatsApp)

CIVIC Communications: [email protected]

Spokespersons available for interviews in English, French, and Arabic.