The Siege of El Fasher: A Looming Crisis of Gender-Based Violence and the Future of Humanitarian Intervention

Over 500 days. That’s how long women and girls in El Fasher, North Darfur, have endured a relentless siege, facing starvation as a weapon of war and systematic sexual violence. While global attention flickers across multiple crises, the unfolding catastrophe in El Fasher isn’t just a humanitarian tragedy; it’s a chilling indicator of how conflict is increasingly weaponizing basic survival, and a stark warning about the erosion of international protections for vulnerable populations. The situation demands not just condemnation, but a fundamental reassessment of how the international community responds to deliberate sieges and gender-based violence in conflict zones.

Famine as a Weapon: The Deliberate Starvation of El Fasher

The International Phase Classification (IPC) has classified conditions in El Fasher as famine-level, yet humanitarian access remains severely restricted. Families are reduced to consuming animal feed and tree leaves, a desperate measure highlighting the intentional obstruction of aid. This isn’t collateral damage; it’s a calculated tactic. The deliberate deprivation of food and medicine, coupled with the targeting of humanitarian workers, constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law. The UN reports at least 125 civilian deaths in the last three weeks alone, a figure likely representing a significant undercount. This escalating violence is driving mass displacement, with over 600,000 people forced from their homes since April 2023.

The Gendered Impact of Conflict: A Systemic Assault on Women and Girls

The crisis in El Fasher is disproportionately impacting women and girls. Beyond the immediate threat of starvation, they face a horrifying surge in conflict-related sexual violence – rape and gang rape are being systematically used as weapons of war. Pregnant women are giving birth without skilled medical assistance, and survivors of sexual assault have no access to essential healthcare. Zahara, a mother trapped in the city, poignantly describes the daily reality: “We are facing death by missiles, starvation, daily violations, and rape.” This echoes the experiences of over half of the 1.79 million internally displaced people (IDPs) in North Darfur – women and girls. The situation in Abu Shouk displacement camp, where famine conditions were identified in December 2024, underscores the vulnerability of those already displaced.

The Collapse of Infrastructure and Healthcare

The destruction of over forty-one health and educational facilities has decimated essential services. The lack of medical supplies and trained personnel is exacerbating the suffering, particularly for women requiring reproductive healthcare. This collapse of infrastructure isn’t merely a consequence of conflict; it’s a deliberate strategy to undermine the resilience of the community and control the population. The long-term consequences of this devastation will be felt for generations.

The Role of Women-Led Organizations: A Lifeline in the Chaos

Despite the immense challenges, women-led organizations and volunteers are providing a critical lifeline to the community. They are on the frontlines, addressing the immediate needs of women and girls, often with minimal resources. These local actors possess invaluable knowledge and trust within the community, making them essential partners in any effective response. However, they urgently require direct, sustained support to continue their vital work. Investing in these organizations isn’t just humanitarian aid; it’s an investment in local resilience and long-term stability.

Beyond El Fasher: The Emerging Trend of Sieges as a Tool of War

The situation in El Fasher isn’t isolated. We are witnessing a disturbing global trend of sieges being employed as a deliberate tactic of war, particularly in urban areas. This strategy aims to break the will of the civilian population and force surrender. The use of starvation and sexual violence as integral components of these sieges represents a dangerous escalation of conflict and a fundamental challenge to international humanitarian law. The UN Security Council Resolution 2736 (2024), demanding an end to the siege of El Fasher and South Kordofan, is a crucial step, but enforcement remains a significant hurdle. Further research from the United States Institute of Peace highlights the increasing frequency and brutality of sieges in modern conflicts. https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/12/sieges-modern-warfare-implications-civilians

The Path Forward: Accountability and Proactive Intervention

The international community must move beyond condemnation and take decisive action. This requires:

• Enforcing Accountability: Those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in El Fasher must be held accountable. The International Criminal Court (ICC) should prioritize investigations into the systematic use of sexual violence and starvation as weapons of war.
• Strengthening Humanitarian Access: Negotiating and securing safe, unhindered, and sustained humanitarian access to El Fasher is paramount. This requires leveraging all available diplomatic channels and applying pressure on all parties to the conflict.
• Investing in Local Resilience: Providing direct, sustained support to women-led organizations and local communities is crucial for building long-term resilience.
• Proactive Intervention: Developing mechanisms for proactive intervention to prevent sieges and protect civilians is essential. This may involve strengthening early warning systems, deploying preventative diplomacy, and establishing clear red lines for the use of starvation and sexual violence as weapons of war.

The suffering in El Fasher is a stark reminder that silence is complicity. The courage of women like Zahara demands a resolute global response. The time to act isn’t tomorrow; it’s now. What steps will the international community take to ensure that El Fasher doesn’t become a symbol of collective failure?