United Nations investigators have accused Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing crimes against humanity during the siege of el-Fasher, a key city in Darfur. The report details atrocities including murder, rape, and the use of starvation as a method of warfare.
The UN Fact-Finding Mission’s report, released recently, alleges that the RSF engaged in systematic violence against civilians in el-Fasher. Specific crimes cited include torture, enslavement, sexual slavery, and forced displacement, with persecution based on ethnicity, gender, and political grounds. This marks a severe escalation in the ongoing conflict, which has devastated the region for over a year.
El-Fasher has been under siege for more than a year, serving as the Sudanese army’s last major stronghold in Darfur. The city’s isolation has led to dire humanitarian conditions, with aid struggling to reach those in need. The RSF’s intensified offensive has exacerbated the crisis, trapping thousands of civilians and cutting off essential supplies.
In April, the RSF stormed the Zamzam refugee camp near el-Fasher, forcing tens of thousands of displaced people to flee once again. The camp was already declared to be in a state of famine, highlighting the extreme deprivation faced by residents. This attack is cited as an example of the group’s brutal tactics and disregard for human life.
The UN report also implicates both the RSF and the Sudanese regular army in war crimes, accusing them of deliberately targeting civilians. Chair Mohamed Chande Othman stated that these actions are not accidental but part of deliberate strategies aimed at weakening opposition. Both sides have denied any wrongdoing, despite mounting evidence from various sources.
International responses have been critical, with the United States accusing the RSF of genocide against non-Arab populations in Darfur. The US has imposed sanctions on army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for similar offenses, including using food deprivation as a weapon. These measures aim to pressure the parties to cease hostilities and engage in peace talks.
Supporting evidence comes from Yale University research, which analyzed satellite images showing raised banks built by the RSF to trap civilians. This construction, spanning 31 kilometers, indicates a calculated effort to besiege the city further and prevent escape. The report calls for an arms embargo and an independent judicial process to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
The conflict, which began in April 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced approximately 13 million people. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence, with no end in sight to the suffering. The international community is urged to take immediate action to prevent further atrocities and address the humanitarian crisis.