Sudan’s RSF committed crimes against humanity in el-Fasher, Amnesty says

Sudan's RSF Accused of Crimes Against Humanity in El-Fasher, Amnesty Claims

Sudan s RSF committed crimes against - Amnesty International has released a report alleging that Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing during their campaign to seize control of El-Fasher last year. The United Nations estimates that over 6,000 people were killed in the city, marking one of the most lethal episodes in Sudan's ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. The conflict, centered in western Darfur, has intensified as the RSF shifts its focus from the capital, Khartoum, to consolidating dominance in the region.

Report Highlights Systematic Atrocities

The Amnesty report, released on Wednesday, details a pattern of atrocities carried out by RSF fighters in and around El-Fasher. According to the group, the violence includes murder, forced displacement, imprisonment, torture, rape, and sexual slavery. These acts, described as part of a coordinated campaign, have left the city's civilian population in dire distress. The organization also suggests that the evidence gathered could be tied to the crime of genocide, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

"The RSF's actions in El-Fasher represent a calculated assault on civilians, with children often singled out as victims," stated Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International's secretary general. "This was not an incidental loss of life—it was a targeted campaign of terror."

The RSF has yet to respond directly to the Amnesty report, though it has previously dismissed similar allegations. Despite this, the group asserts that its findings are supported by numerous testimonies and forensic analysis. The report draws from 89 open-source videos and satellite imagery, which reveal the extent of the destruction and casualties in the region.

Survivors Describe Nightmarish Experiences

One 17-year-old survivor from Abu Zerega, a town near El-Fasher, recounted the harrowing events of the attack. "They tied me up and beat me with sticks and the back of an AK-47. Then one of them approached on a camel and… just shot me in the leg," he said. The boy, now reliant on crutches, added that eight of his cousins, including four minors aged 11 to 17, were killed in the same assault. His account underscores the widespread targeting of non-Arab communities, with many civilians suffering brutal fates.

Amnesty researchers highlight that the RSF's attacks were driven by ethnic identity. Arab fighters, aligned with the RSF, systematically attacked members of local non-Arab groups, often using derogatory terms like "slave" or "servant" to justify their actions. This pattern aligns with the RSF's historical role in perpetuating violence against black African populations in Darfur. In El-Fasher, the defenders of the city were primarily from the Zaghawa ethnic group, and RSF forces targeted both civilians and combatants indiscriminately.

Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies

The conflict has escalated into a severe humanitarian emergency, with over 14 million people displaced and 28 million facing acute food insecurity, according to aid organizations. The UN has labeled El-Fasher's suffering as "hallmarks of genocide," citing the rapid loss of life and systematic targeting of vulnerable groups. The assault on the city, which claimed more than 6,000 lives in just three days, has intensified pressure on international actors to intervene.

Callamard urged global leaders to act, stating that "the world was warned of the horrors endured by civilians in El-Fasher as the RSF launched its siege." She emphasized that the atrocities committed in the city constitute a "stain on the conscience of humanity" and called for an immediate ceasefire, along with the deployment of an international force to safeguard civilians. Amnesty has also identified specific RSF commanders linked to violations of international law, urging accountability for the crimes.

Power Struggle and Escalating Violence

Sudan remains entrenched in a three-year struggle between the regular army and the RSF, which has seen the military and paramilitary forces clash repeatedly. The RSF's control over El-Fasher has been a strategic victory, allowing them to extend their influence into Kordofan states in the country's southern regions. However, this consolidation of power has come at a heavy cost, with reports of mass killings, sexual violence, and the deliberate abduction of children.

Witnesses have described scenes of chaos, with entire families fleeing their homes as the RSF advanced. The use of sexual violence as a weapon of war is particularly widespread, with women and children subjected to attacks that leave lasting trauma. "Children were not just casualties—they were the focus," Callamard reiterated. The report’s findings add to a growing body of evidence implicating both the RSF and SAF in war crimes, though each side denies responsibility.

Global Pressure Mounts

International attention on Sudan has increased as the conflict continues to worsen. The UN and human rights groups are demanding that the warring factions cease hostilities and allow aid to reach affected areas. Meanwhile, the RSF leadership has acknowledged some violations but insists the scale of the atrocities is being overstated. "We are investigating the incidents, but the figures are inflated," they said in a recent statement.

Amnesty’s report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing brutality in Darfur. The group’s analysis of open-source material and survivor testimonies paints a grim picture of the RSF’s tactics, which include indiscriminate attacks, forced recruitment, and the use of ethnic slurs to dehumanize victims. The report also underscores the need for justice, urging the international community to hold the RSF accountable for its actions.

As the conflict drags on, the human toll continues to rise. The combined efforts of the SAF and RSF have displaced millions and left countless families in despair. With the UN and Amnesty International raising alarms, the world watches closely as Sudan’s power struggle reaches new levels of intensity. The question remains: will global intervention prevent further devastation, or will the cycle of violence continue unchecked?

Context and Consequences

El-Fasher’s fall last year was a turning point in the war, as the RSF moved to secure control over critical regions. The city’s strategic location made it a key target, and its capture symbolized the RSF’s growing influence. However, the aftermath has been catastrophic, with survivors reporting widespread destruction and loss of life. The UN’s classification of the events as genocide highlights the gravity of the situation, though the RSF continues to deny these allegations.

The conflict has also strained Sudan’s already fragile economy and infrastructure. Aid agencies warn that the humanitarian crisis is worsening, with food shortages and lack of access to medical care threatening the survival of millions. Callamard’s call for an international force reflects the urgency of the moment, as civilians face escalating risks. "We must act swiftly to protect those who have no voice," she said, emphasizing the need for global solidarity in the face of such atrocities.

With the RSF’s campaign in El-Fasher, the world has been given a glimpse into the horrors of modern warfare in Sudan. The report’s findings, though challenged by the military, provide a critical perspective on the conflict’s human cost. As the power struggle between the SAF and RSF intensifies, the international community faces a difficult choice: to intervene decisively or to let the violence continue. The lives of over 6,000 victims—and the millions more affected—hang in the balance.