A grim report from a UN-mandated fact-finding mission has cast a dark shadow over the ongoing conflict in Sudan, particularly focusing on the siege of El Fasher. The findings indicate that the actions of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the North Darfur capital may constitute genocide, as they systematically targeted ethnic communities. The investigation reveals a deliberate and coordinated strategy aimed at the physical destruction of the Zaghawa and Fur populations over an 18-month period.
Systematic Brutality in El Fasher
The siege, which began in October 2025, has been described as a calculated campaign of terror rather than mere battlefield excess. Mohamed Chande Othman, chair of the fact-finding mission, stated, “The scale, coordination, and public endorsement of the operation by senior RSF leadership demonstrate that the crimes committed in and around El Fasher were not random excesses of war.” The report details a horrifying scenario where thousands faced killings, rapes, and disappearance, particularly targeting individuals from the Zaghawa ethnic group.
The RSF, once allied with government forces, has now been accused of perpetrating atrocities that echo the brutalities of the Janjaweed militias in the early 2000s. These militias were responsible for the deaths of approximately 300,000 people during the Darfur conflict and displaced millions. The current conflict, ignited by a power struggle between RSF commander Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has left the nation in chaos.
Ongoing Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
The report’s timing is particularly poignant, coinciding with renewed violence across Sudan. Recent drone strikes in the Kordofan region have resulted in a devastating death toll, with local sources reporting at least 15 children killed in a single attack on a displacement camp. Other strikes have targeted civilian markets, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. The United Nations has classified this turmoil as one of the world’s most pressing humanitarian crises, with an estimated 11 million people displaced and tens of thousands dead since the conflict reignited in April 2023.
As these atrocities unfold, the RSF has purportedly enjoyed support from external actors, notably the United Arab Emirates, although this claim has been repeatedly denied by the Gulf state. The international community’s response has been tepid, with criticisms from the UK, Canada, and the EU highlighting potential war crimes but lacking significant action to enforce accountability.
Witness Accounts Reveal Horrific Atrocities
The findings of the UN report are underscored by harrowing testimonies from survivors. Investigators interviewed over 320 witnesses and victims, some of whom fled to neighbouring countries such as Chad and South Sudan. The report corroborates a series of videos documenting these atrocities, painting a picture of widespread sexual violence that spanned ages from seven to seventy, with many survivors recounting brutal attacks in front of family members.
In a particularly harrowing account, a 12-year-old girl was gang-raped by three RSF fighters while her mother watched helplessly, shortly after her father was killed while trying to protect her. The frequency of such assaults, often occurring in locations marked by mass killings, reveals the systematic nature of the RSF’s campaign against ethnic communities.
In response to these revelations, the US Treasury announced sanctions against three RSF commanders, citing their roles in the campaign of terror that has gripped El Fasher. The sanctions specifically address the “ethnic killings, torture, starvation, and sexual violence” perpetrated during the siege.
The Global Response and the Call for Accountability
As the international community grapples with the implications of the report, calls for accountability have grown louder. The fact-finding mission stresses the necessity for urgent action to end the violence and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. Othman emphasized that the RSF’s actions not only warrant investigation but also a concerted response from outside nations to prevent further atrocities.
Why it Matters
The revelations from El Fasher serve as a stark reminder of the potential for ethnic cleansing in modern conflicts, raising urgent questions about the efficacy of international mechanisms to prevent such atrocities. As Sudan teeters on the brink of catastrophe, the failure to address these issues could have far-reaching consequences, not just for the region, but for global stability. The world must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of the Sudanese people; instead, it must act decisively to halt this cycle of violence and ensure accountability for those who perpetrate such heinous crimes.
