A recent investigation by a UN-mandated fact-finding mission has revealed that the siege of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) exhibits characteristics reminiscent of genocide. This report, released amid escalating violence across Sudan, underscores the dire humanitarian crisis facing the region as well as the urgent need for international accountability.
El Fasher Under Siege: A Harrowing Account
The RSF, a paramilitary group, has been implicated in a systematic campaign against the Zaghawa and Fur ethnic communities during its 18-month occupation of El Fasher, which began in October 2023. The report’s findings indicate that the RSF, supported by allied militias, deliberately engineered conditions aimed at the physical destruction of these communities. Mohamed Chande Othman, the chair of the 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 was published shortly after the UK, Canada, and the European Union condemned potential war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan, highlighting the growing international concern over the situation. The findings are particularly alarming, given the recent surge in drone strikes across Sudan’s Kordofan region, resulting in significant civilian casualties.
Rising Casualties Amidst Ongoing Conflict
In the midst of this turmoil, UNICEF reported that at least 15 children were among the victims of a drone strike on a displacement camp in West Kordofan. In a separate incident, a strike on a market in North Kordofan claimed the lives of 28 individuals. The Sudanese army has been implicated in the West Kordofan attack, while accusations against the RSF have emerged following the North Kordofan strike.
The conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese army, which erupted after a fallout between RSF commander Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has resulted in immense suffering for the civilian population. Since the beginning of hostilities in April 2023, the war has displaced 11 million individuals and caused tens of thousands of deaths, leading to what the UN describes as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
Atrocities Documented: A Call for Accountability
The fact-finding mission’s report paints a grim picture of the atrocities committed during the RSF’s occupation. Investigators noted that the RSF inflicted “three days of absolute horror” on the residents of El Fasher, with thousands reported killed, raped, or missing, particularly among the Zaghawa population. Survivors recounted harrowing accounts of sexual violence, with reports detailing assaults on women and girls ranging from the ages of seven to seventy.
One particularly tragic account involved a 12-year-old girl who was raped by three RSF fighters while her mother looked on, moments after her father was slain. The brutality of these attacks often occurred in locations where mass killings had previously taken place. The RSF’s actions have been characterised as having “genocidal intent,” with the report calling for urgent international intervention to hold perpetrators accountable.
In a related development, the United States announced sanctions against three RSF commanders, citing their roles in the siege of El Fasher and the accompanying atrocities. The US Treasury condemned the RSF for engaging in “ethnic killings, torture, starvation, and sexual violence.”
The International Response and Future Implications
The report’s release coincides with a critical juncture in Sudan’s ongoing crisis. The international community faces increasing pressure to address the situation and to ensure that justice is served for the victims of these heinous acts. The documented evidence of widespread violence and the systematic targeting of ethnic groups raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current diplomatic efforts and humanitarian responses.
Why it Matters
The findings of this report are a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Sudan. As millions face displacement and violence, the international community must take decisive action to prevent further atrocities and to hold accountable those responsible for these crimes. The implications of inaction are dire, not just for the affected communities in Sudan but for regional stability and global human rights efforts. The world cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the tragedies occurring in El Fasher and beyond.