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The ongoing conflict in Sudan has taken a harrowing turn, particularly in the city of El Fasher, where a recent United Nations report has branded the actions of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as bearing the “hallmarks of genocide”. Following an 18-month siege, the findings reveal systematic violence against specific ethnic groups, raising urgent calls for accountability and intervention in a crisis that has already claimed countless lives.
A Grim Overview of the Siege
In October 2025, the RSF, a paramilitary group with a notorious history, seized control of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. The UN’s fact-finding mission has meticulously documented a litany of atrocities perpetrated during this period, citing deliberate efforts to destroy the Zaghawa and Fur ethnic communities. Mohamed Chande Othman, chair of the mission, emphasised that the scale and coordination of the violence indicate that these acts were not mere excesses of war but a calculated campaign aimed at ethnic cleansing.
The report highlights that the RSF’s leadership publicly endorsed these operations, signifying a disturbing level of organisation and intent. It calls for an urgent and thorough investigation into these crimes and the individuals responsible.
Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
As the conflict rages on, the humanitarian situation in Sudan has deteriorated dramatically. The UK, Canada, and the European Union recently condemned potential war crimes committed during the nearly three-year conflict, coinciding with a new wave of deadly drone strikes in the Kordofan region. This latest escalation has resulted in significant casualties, including the tragic deaths of at least 15 children when a drone struck a displacement camp. Witnesses have attributed the attack to the Sudanese army, while the RSF has been implicated in another strike that left dozens dead in a market.
The ongoing war, ignited by tensions between RSF commander Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has forced millions to flee their homes and has exacerbated what the UN describes as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Since April 2023, the violence has uprooted 11 million individuals and resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities.
Atrocities Against Civilians
The UN report describes a terrifying reality for those who remain in the conflict zones. Witnesses recounted horrific episodes of violence, including mass killings, rapes, and disappearances, particularly targeting the Zaghawa community. The RSF’s systematic approach to violence is demonstrated through accounts of “three days of absolute horror”, where thousands were subjected to brutal attacks.
The report details shocking instances of sexual violence, noting that assaults were often carried out in front of family members. One particularly harrowing account involved a young girl who was raped by three RSF fighters while her mother watched, moments after her father was killed attempting to protect her. Such atrocities occurred in locations marred by previous mass killings, highlighting the RSF’s calculated intent to instil fear and subjugate the population.
International Response and Accountability
In light of these findings, the United States has imposed sanctions on three commanders of the RSF, citing their roles in the siege and the atrocities committed during the occupation of El Fasher. The US Treasury has condemned the RSF for engaging in “ethnic killings, torture, starvation, and sexual violence”, underscoring the international community’s growing concern over the situation in Sudan.
As the conflict shifts its focus from Darfur to Kordofan, the UN has called for decisive action from the international community to hold those responsible for these heinous acts accountable. The failure to address these issues could lead to further escalations of violence and suffering for millions of innocent civilians.
Why it Matters
The findings of the UN report on El Fasher are not just a reflection of the tragic events in Sudan; they serve as a stark reminder of the potential for genocide in conflict zones worldwide. As the international community grapples with how to respond, the urgency for accountability and action has never been greater. The unfolding crisis calls for a concerted global effort to prevent further atrocities and to protect vulnerable populations from the ravages of war. The world must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of the Sudanese people; their plight demands immediate and sustained attention.