In a blunt televised interview, Darfur regional governor Hadi Idris—appointed by the Founding Alliance (TASIS)—accused General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) and allied militias of exploiting civilians in El Fasher for political gain amid the city’s prolonged siege. Speaking to Al Jazeera Mubasher, Idris said exit routes remain open and his administration is prepared to transport residents to safer areas outside the battle zone.
Idris asserted that TASIS-aligned forces now control roughly 80% of El Fasher. He said he visited the city last year and tabled a demilitarization proposal that would have removed both Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and SAF units from inside the city to spare civilians. According to Idris, the SAF rejected the initiative and later attacked TASIS positions.
Emphasizing that El Fasher’s residents are “our people,” Idris argued that those who abandoned neutrality and sided with the SAF worsened the humanitarian crisis. He claimed TASIS forces have already evacuated thousands of civilians and that international organizations working around Tawila and Kurma have acknowledged these movements. He insisted there is no blockade on civilians, stating that crossing points are open and repeatedly publicized.
On a ceasefire, Idris ruled out any immediate truce. He called instead for a political-military understanding with SAF before formal ceasefire arrangements. If such a framework is reached, he said, SAF personnel currently inside El Fasher could later be allowed to leave the city unarmed under terms designed to protect civilians and prevent further escalation.
