Sudan’s RSF Arrests Fighters Amid Outrage Over El Fasher Killings

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced today the arrest of several of its fighters following widespread condemnation of violence in El Fasher, though the move is being met with skepticism by human rights groups and Sudanese citizens.

Much of the outrage centers on a commander known as Abu Lulu, featured in videos circulating after Sunday’s attack, appearing to oversee the execution of civilians. The RSF presented Lulu under arrest, but critics allege this is a public relations tactic. “The detention of Abu Lulu appears to be a PR stunt to deflect global anger and shift attention away from the militia’s responsibility for this massacre,” stated Sudanese researcher and writer Mohamed Suliman. A social media hashtag, “You are all Abu Lulu,” has gained traction, suggesting the violence reflects a broader pattern within the RSF.

Activists argue the focus on a single individual obscures the scale of the atrocities. “There is absence of accountability and indifference to our humanity,” said Hala al-Karib of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa. “Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese have perished…and all they do is try to silence our suffering.” Concerns are also raised about the RSF’s ability to conduct impartial investigations, given its origins in the Janjaweed militias responsible for massacres in Darfur during the 2000s – a conflict that led to charges of genocide against former President Omar al-Bashir at the International Criminal Court. The ongoing conflict began in April 2023, stemming from a power struggle between the RSF and the Sudanese army, and has destabilized the entire country.

The UN human rights office reported yesterday that hundreds of civilians and unarmed fighters may have been killed while attempting to flee El Fasher, with reports of sexual violence against women and girls. Aid organizations, including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), are reporting alarmingly low numbers of displaced people arriving at camps like Tawila, suggesting mass killings and indiscriminate violence. MSF pediatricians are treating children arriving with severe malnutrition and injuries sustained during their escape.

Officials have stated they will continue to monitor the situation and assess the RSF’s commitment to accountability, while international pressure mounts for a comprehensive investigation into the events in El Fasher.