A United Nations fact-finding mission has concluded that atrocities committed during the siege and capture of El-Fasher in western Sudan point to acts of genocide.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized the city, located in the Darfur region, at the end of October after an 18-month blockade. The takeover marked one of the deadliest episodes in Sudan’s nearly three-year civil war and provoked strong international condemnation.
According to investigators mandated by the UN Human Rights Council, evidence gathered during the inquiry — including prolonged siege tactics, starvation, denial of humanitarian aid, mass killings, sexual violence, torture and enforced disappearances — indicates intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the Zaghawa and Fur communities in El-Fasher.
Mona Rishmawi, a member of the mission, said the pattern of violations leaves “only one reasonable inference” regarding genocidal intent. The report identifies at least three underlying acts of genocide: killing members of a protected ethnic group; causing serious physical or psychological harm; and deliberately imposing living conditions designed to bring about the group’s destruction.
The RSF has not publicly responded to the latest findings but has previously denied accusations of genocide.
The conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023 from a power struggle between the national army and the RSF over the integration of paramilitary forces into the regular military. It has since expanded into a nationwide war, deepening longstanding ethnic divisions, particularly in Darfur.
In El-Fasher, investigators said the city was systematically starved and weakened before the final assault. During three days of intense violence, thousands of civilians — especially from the Zaghawa community — were reportedly killed, raped or disappeared. The report states that RSF forces failed to distinguish between civilians and armed defenders.
The mission described the scale and coordination of the operation as evidence of an organized campaign endorsed by senior RSF leadership. It named RSF commander Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, and spokesperson Lt Col Al-Fatih Al-Qurashi, citing public statements that celebrated the takeover. Although General Hemedti acknowledged certain “violations” and pledged investigations, the mission said it received no clarification on accountability measures.
The report also highlighted the presence of foreign mercenaries equipped with advanced weapons and communications systems, suggesting external support reinforced the RSF campaign. While the mandate did not extend to formally investigating foreign states, investigators said they are engaging with several countries regarding credible information of involvement.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, described the findings as “truly horrific” and said she would present them to the UN Security Council. She called for international criminal investigations, stricter enforcement of the arms embargo on Darfur — potentially expanding it nationwide — and stronger action to halt weapons flows fueling the conflict.
Cooper emphasized the widespread sexual violence documented in the report, describing it as systematic and integral to the campaign. She urged global pressure for a ceasefire, humanitarian access and justice for victims.
The UN Security Council session aims to advance efforts toward a humanitarian truce, though repeated attempts at ceasefire agreements have failed. Both sides continue to receive external backing and sophisticated weaponry, prolonging a conflict that has inflicted immense civilian suffering.
Investigators warned that without prevention measures and accountability, the risk of further genocidal acts remains high.
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