A United Nations fact-finding mission has concluded that atrocities committed during the siege and eventual capture of El-Fasher, a key city in Sudan’s Darfur region, may amount to genocide.
Findings of the Inquiry
The investigation focused on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which seized El-Fasher in late October after an 18-month blockade that cut off food, aid, and medical supplies. UN investigators documented:
- Killings and enforced disappearances
- Widespread sexual violence and torture
- Systematic denial of humanitarian relief
The report states these acts were directed primarily at members of the Zaghawa and Fur ethnic groups, raising concerns that they were carried out with intent to destroy those communities.
Context of the Conflict
Sudan’s war began in April 2023 as a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF over plans to integrate the paramilitary into the national military. In Darfur, militias aligned with the RSF have been accused of targeting non-Arab populations, echoing violence from the early 2000s under former president Omar al-Bashir.
Investigators say the prolonged siege created life-threatening conditions before RSF forces moved in, leaving civilians vulnerable to days of extreme violence. Thousands were reportedly killed or went missing.
Leadership and Accountability
The mission named senior RSF figures, including commander Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), citing public statements in which leadership acknowledged or defended aspects of the operation. RSF officials have denied allegations of mass atrocities and did not respond to requests for clarification on accountability measures.
The report also noted the involvement of foreign fighters with advanced weapons, though it did not identify specific states. Previous investigations have suggested external backing for RSF operations, claims denied by those accused.
UN Recommendations
Investigators urged the international community to:
- Strengthen enforcement of the arms embargo on Darfur and extend it nationwide
- Pursue targeted sanctions against individuals suspected of serious violations
- Enhance cooperation with the International Criminal Court
- Consider creating an additional judicial mechanism to support prosecutions
Global Implications
The findings are expected to shape upcoming UN Security Council discussions, where efforts to broker a humanitarian ceasefire have so far failed. Human rights experts warn that without urgent preventive action and accountability, the risk of further mass atrocities in Darfur remains high.
