The Intelligence from The Economist Capital gained: a grim turn in Darfur
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Nov 3, 2025 
John McDermott, Chief Africa correspondent at The Economist, provides harrowing insights on the recent takeover of El Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces, highlighting alarming mass killings reminiscent of past atrocities in Darfur. Colm Williams, Senior economics writer, discusses how generative AI is transforming the consumer landscape by reducing information asymmetries, potentially dismantling ripoff industries. They also touch on AI's ability to enhance negotiation outcomes, while cautioning about the risks of misuse and errors in AI technologies.
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El Fasher's Capture Signals A Grim Escalation
- The RSF's capture of El Fasher marks a brutal turning point with mass killings and large-scale displacement.
- Satellite imagery, videos and eyewitness reports indicate summary executions and massacres in remaining hospitals.
Siege Walls And A Hospital Massacre
- John McDermott recounts that the RSF built sand-and-dirt walls around El Fasher to tighten a siege.
- He also reports the WHO's claim that nearly 500 patients in a functioning hospital were massacred after RSF took the city.
Territorial Gain Equals Political Leverage
- The RSF aims to control Darfur and seek national relevance, not merely local dominance.
- Control of El Fasher effectively partitions Sudan between RSF-held west and SAF-held east, shaping future bargaining.