EL FASHER – A Sudanese humanitarian volunteer has died while being held in Rapid Support Forces (RSF) detention at Shalla Prison in El Fasher, according to the Sudan Doctors Network, which warned of deteriorating conditions for thousands of detainees in the city.
The network said Al-Tayeb Al-Tom Mursal died after being detained following the RSF takeover of El Fasher. It said he was among more than 3,000 detainees being held across Shalla Prison, other detention facilities and private homes reportedly converted into holding sites.
The group also said buildings at the University of El Fasher had been turned into detention centers, while the humanitarian and health conditions of those held remain largely unknown.
The Sudan Doctors Network said communication between detainees and their families had been cut off for nearly a year, alleging that the RSF had prevented detainees from contacting relatives.
It described Mersal’s death as one of a larger number of deaths inside undisclosed RSF detention facilities, citing reports of disease outbreaks, severe shortages of basic necessities, neglect, mistreatment and torture.
Sudan Now could not independently verify the circumstances of Mersal’s death, the number of detainees or the reported conditions inside detention facilities. The RSF did not immediately comment.
The network held the RSF responsible for the safety and lives of detainees and called for urgent international pressure to disclose the fate of all those being held.
It urged humanitarian and medical organizations to be granted immediate access to detention sites to assess conditions and provide medical care and essential supplies.
The group also called for the release of civilians it said were arbitrarily detained and for accountability for any abuses committed against detainees.
