A photograph depicting food supplied by community kitchens, which are locally recognized as Takiah.
The African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) strongly condemns the ongoing attacks on civilians, including humanitarians, in El-Fasher, North Darfur. The Sudanese conflict has tragically resulted in the targeting of innocent civilians in El-Fasher, a city under a dire humanitarian crisis. This situation is a stark reminder of the pressing need for peace and protection of innocent lives.
On September 11 and 12, 2025, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) bombarded the secure neighborhoods in El-Fasher, North Darfur, resulting in the death of no fewer than two civilians. These individuals include a local humanitarian worker and the chairperson of a local eatery and kitchen (locally known as Takiah) called Allah Ybrdi, which translates to “May Allah Stop the War.” Among the casualties is Mr. Abu Bakar Abdul Jabra, a young man involved in humanitarian work and recognized as a sports figure in El-Fasher. Mr. Abu Bakar and Abdallah Alfeil, both dedicated public servants, share a tragic fate.
Mr. Abu Bakar, a caring father of five, lost his life during the RSF shelling of El-Fasher's northern neighborhoods, where many civilians still seek refuge. This area remains perilous, especially after narrowly escaping the attack on the Zamzam camp in May 2025. Sadly, Mr. Abu Bakar was at his front door when he was instantly killed, and Mr. Abdallah Alfeil, who was also targeted, was struck by different bombs around 11:00 am on September 11, 2025, in the same neighborhood.
Mr. Emad Abdul Jabar, a devoted public servant, lost his life along with three other civilians when the RSF bombed the Takiah/community kitchen in El-Fasher.
Earlier, on September 19, 2024, Madina Abdul Latif, a devoted widow of Mohamed Abdul Jabar, the elder brother of Mr. Abdul Bakar, died from an untreated illness in El-Fasher due to a lack of medical care. Their mother, Fatima Ibrahim, also passed away in October 2023 as medical care in El-Fasher deteriorated. These tragic events underscore the pressing need for peace and improved healthcare in the community.
The family of the late Abu Baker Abdul Jabar, beloved in El-Fasher and across Darfur for his efforts in pioneering education and sports, is a heartwarming example of a proud middle-class family. Known locally as dedicated public servants, their story reflects a deep commitment to community and progress in Darfur, which has been targeted by the RSF.
Background
According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, over 25 million civilians in Sudan and those fleeing the country are struggling to get food and need immediate humanitarian aid due to the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. As of April 2024, the RSF had imposed a strict blockade on El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, where more than 400,000 people are trying to survive and dying from hunger. Some women, children, and men have managed to escape to nearby Tawila, a town about 45 miles east, which is dealing with its own severe cholera outbreak. The risks of trying to leave the city have led hundreds of thousands to stay in El-Fasher until the RSF is forced to leave or the city falls. During the escape, men are often arrested and killed, while women and girls are abducted. The RSF’s siege of El-Fasher has also worsened the man-made starvation in the city, forcing some civilians to survive on animal feed as humanitarian organizations struggle to buy food outside the city. The harvest season has also been disrupted due to the armed conflict, making widespread famine likely in the coming months. There have been reports that both the SAF and the RSF are using food as a weapon of war and starving civilians. In August 2025, a family of five living in Abu Shook camp tragically lost their lives due to food poisoning, caused by a fungus in the animal feed that civilians were consuming in Elfashir instead of their usual, healthy food.
In the past, communities in Elfasher came together to organize emergency response rooms and mutual aid groups that offered essential support and a sense of solidarity to thousands of families. However, these efforts are now facing serious challenges due to unprecedented violence and targeted attacks on civil society and local responders. Sadly, dozens of activists and volunteers have been arrested, threatened, and prosecuted in recent weeks, making it even harder for the community to rally and support one another.