A United Nations investigation has found evidence suggesting that actions by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s Al-Fashir amount to genocide. The findings come amid growing international concern over the escalating conflict in the Darfur region and the humanitarian crisis unfolding there.
UN fact-finders determined that mass killings occurred during the RSF’s capture of Al-Fashir, specifically targeting non-Arab populations. The violence was particularly directed against the Zaghawa and Fur ethnic groups, according to a report released Thursday in Geneva.
The UN mission described “three days of horror” as the RSF took control of the city in late October 2023. Al-Fashir had been the last stronghold of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in the Darfur region. Thousands were reportedly killed and raped during the assault. “The scale, coordination and public endorsement of the operation by RSF leadership demonstrate that the crimes committed in and around Al-Fashir were not random war excesses,” said Mohamad Chande Othman, the chair of the mission. He added that the actions appeared to be part of a planned and organized operation exhibiting the key characteristics of genocide.
Investigators found evidence of coordinated RSF actions, with attacks specifically targeting individuals based on their ethnicity. Survivors reported explicit threats to “cleanse” the city. Witnesses cited RSF fighters saying, “Are there any Zaghawa among you? If we find Zaghawa, we will kill them all.”
The assault on Al-Fashir followed an 18-month siege. Reuters reported that the RSF and the Sudanese government did not respond to requests for comment. The UN mission stated that it also received no response after sharing a draft of the report. The RSF has previously denied similar accusations, claiming the reports were fabricated by its enemies. (Reuters)
