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A recent report from a UN-authorised fact-finding mission has identified the siege of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as bearing “the hallmarks of genocide.” This disturbing conclusion arises from a harrowing 18-month occupation that has severely impacted the Zaghawa and Fur ethnic communities, revealing systematic efforts to eradicate these groups. This revelation comes amid escalating violence and humanitarian crises across Sudan, where millions have been displaced and thousands killed.
Systematic Violence and Ethnic Targeting
According to the findings, the RSF, alongside allied militias, executed a calculated strategy that resulted in widespread atrocities against specific ethnic populations. Mohamed Chande Othman, who led the mission, emphasised that the actions observed were not merely incidental but rather part of a deliberate campaign orchestrated with the endorsement of senior RSF leadership. The report detailed how the siege culminated in three harrowing days of violence, leading to the deaths, rapes, and disappearances of thousands, predominantly from the Zaghawa community.
The severity of the situation was underscored by the report’s assertion that the RSF operated with impunity and intent to annihilate. It called for international accountability for those responsible for these crimes, urging external nations to take decisive action to halt the ongoing violence.
Rising Casualties Amid Ongoing Conflict
The publication of the report coincided with renewed airstrikes across Sudan’s Kordofan region, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties. UNICEF reported that at least 15 children lost their lives due to a drone strike on a displacement camp, while another strike in a nearby market claimed 28 lives. The Sudanese army has been implicated in the West Kordofan incident, while the RSF has been accused of the North Kordofan attack.
This violence follows a major fallout between RSF commander Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan—a split that has escalated into a full-blown conflict since April 2023. The RSF, which has historical ties to the Janjaweed militias known for their role in the Darfur genocide, has received backing from the United Arab Emirates, despite denials from the Gulf state.
Evidence of Widespread Atrocities
The fact-finding mission involved interviews with over 320 witnesses and victims, with investigators travelling to neighbouring countries such as Chad and South Sudan to corroborate testimonies. The report revealed alarming instances of sexual violence, with survivors reporting assaults on women and girls aged between seven and seventy, often in public settings and accompanied by horrific brutality. One particularly tragic case involved a 12-year-old girl who died after being raped by RSF fighters in front of her mother, shortly after her father was killed while trying to protect her.
The report documented incidents occurring in locations known for mass killings, indicating a deliberate tactic aimed at instilling fear and asserting dominance over the affected communities.
International Response and Sanctions
In response to the findings, the United States has announced sanctions against three RSF commanders implicated in the siege of El Fasher. The US Treasury highlighted the RSF’s involvement in “ethnic killings, torture, starvation, and sexual violence,” signalling a growing international awareness and condemnation of the atrocities unfolding in Sudan.
As the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with over 11 million people forced to flee their homes and tens of thousands reported dead, the international community faces increasing pressure to act. The war in Sudan represents one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally, with the UN calling for urgent intervention.
Why it Matters
The findings of this report are not just an indictment of the RSF’s actions but a clarion call for the global community to address a crisis that has far-reaching implications. The ongoing violence in Sudan, rooted in historical ethnic tensions and compounded by geopolitical interests, threatens regional stability. As the humanitarian toll mounts, it is incumbent upon nations and international bodies to confront these atrocities, ensuring accountability and support for those affected. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated; failure to act risks perpetuating a cycle of violence and suffering that could extend far beyond Sudan’s borders.
