The International Crisis Group posted on 29 October 2025 a 25-minute podcast titled "Special Episode: What Does the RSF's Seizure of El Fasher Mean for Sudan's War" with Richard Atwood, Shewit Woldemichael, and Alan Boswell.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has taken control of El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, and nearly all of Darfur region. The result is a de facto, if fragile, partition of Sudan into a western region controlled by the RSF and most of the rest of Sudan still controlled by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and allied militia groups. The RSF succeeded in El Fasher by employing more advanced weapon systems, including drones, and the continuing assistance of the UAE.
The immediate result of the fall of El Fasher has been widespread RSF retribution and atrocities in the city and a dire humanitarian crisis. This event occurred as talks were taking place in Washington between the RSF and the SAF under the umbrella of the Quad (US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt). The collapse of SAF forces in El Fasher as the talks were taking place only added to the frustration of efforts to achieve peace. In any event, the ultimate goal of both the SAF and the RSF remains unchanged: control of all of Sudan.
