Try GOLD - Free
Sudanese describe mass rapes while fleeing El-Fasher
The Mercury
|November 06, 2025
SUDANESE mother Amira wakes up every day trembling, haunted by scenes of mass rapes she saw while fleeing the western city of El-Fasher after it was overrun by paramilitaries.
-
Following an 18-month siege marked by starvation and bombardment, El-Fasher - the last army stronghold in the western Darfur region fell on October 26 to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been at war with the military since April 2023.
Reports have since emerged of mass killings, sexual violence, attacks on aid workers, looting and abductions in a city where communications have largely been cut off.
"The rapes were gang rapes. Mass rape in public, rape in front of everyone and no one could stop it," Amira said from a makeshift shelter in Tawila, some 70km west of El-Fasher.
The mother of four spoke during a webinar organised by campaign group Avaaz with several survivors of the recent violence.
This story is from the November 06, 2025 edition of The Mercury.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Mercury
The Mercury
eThekwini Metro Police face R80m overtime crisis amid understaffing
STAFF shortages, long hours, and additional duties not budgeted for are wreaking havoc on the eThekwini Metro Police operations, forcing the unit to spend up to R20 million each month on overtime pay.
3 mins
November 06, 2025
The Mercury
Sudanese describe mass rapes while fleeing El-Fasher
SUDANESE mother Amira wakes up every day trembling, haunted by scenes of mass rapes she saw while fleeing the western city of El-Fasher after it was overrun by paramilitaries.
2 mins
November 06, 2025
The Mercury
High intensity drama in the wilds, coming soon on BBC
THE BBC is about to launch a six-part wildlife series that sets new standards in understanding and appreciating animal existence. Kingdom closely examines and analyses four animal predator species - leopards, hyenas, wild dogs, and lions - in Zambia's spectacularly beautiful South Luangwa National Park - known as Nsefu. Filming lasted five years.
1 mins
November 06, 2025
The Mercury
Mamdani to be New York's first Muslim mayor
ZOHRAN Mamdani's election as New York mayor caps an extraordinary rise for the local lawmaker who emerged from relative obscurity to lead a supercharged campaign for the US megacity's top job.
1 mins
November 06, 2025
The Mercury
SA mother who fled Denmark at night must return son to father
A MOTHER, who clandestinely took her six-year-old child in the middle of the night from where she and her now estranged husband lived in Denmark, has now been forced, through a court order, to return the child to her husband in Denmark.
2 mins
November 06, 2025
The Mercury
Erasmus’ biggest Springbok selection dilemmas
WITH head coach Rassie Erasmus set to name his Springbok lineup today, all eyes are on the selection dilemmas that will have tested the Bok brains trust ahead of Saturday’s crunch November Test against France at the Stade de France in Paris (kickoff 10.10pm).
2 mins
November 06, 2025
The Mercury
Modi will be remembered for many spectacular achievements
EBRAHIM Essa in \"How will the modern heroes be remembered?\" in The Mercury (November 4), claims the RSS will be remembered for \"catalysing' the partition of India and Jinnah for pushing the agenda.
1 mins
November 06, 2025
The Mercury
African CEOs optimistic about mergers and acquisitions, Al integration, and economic recovery - KPMG
MOST African CEOs are planning acquisitions over the next three years, says KPMG in its 2025 Africa CEO Outlook survey, as business confidence in domestic economies and growth prospects recover amid the global race to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI).
2 mins
November 06, 2025
The Mercury
Where are the flags for Yemen and Sudan?
Luai Ahmed is a Yemeni-Swedish journalist and activist and is openly critical of radical Islam and antisemitism.
1 min
November 06, 2025
The Mercury
PIC hits back at UDM over 'false and malicious' claims about governance and investments
THE Public Investment Corporation (PIC) on Tuesday hit back at allegations made by the United Democratic Movement (UDM), about the state of governance and the investments the PIC manages on behalf of its clients.
2 mins
November 06, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size