The UN Fact-Finding Mission has released a report alleging that Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have committed serious crimes against humanity during their siege of el-Fasher in Darfur. The report details accusations of “murder, torture, enslavement, rape, sexual violence, forced displacement, and persecution based on ethnic, gender, and political grounds.” The findings also indicate that both the RSF and the Sudanese regular army have been involved in alleged war crimes, with previous denials of wrongdoing from both parties.
According to the report, both groups have intentionally targeted civilians through various means, including attacks, summary executions, arbitrary detentions, and inhumane treatment in detention facilities. The chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, Mohamed Chande Othman, stated that these actions are deliberate strategies rather than accidents. The RSF’s actions in el-Fasher are emphasized, with the group reportedly employing starvation as a method of warfare, raising the possibility of extermination.
In April, the RSF reportedly attacked the Zamzam camp near el-Fasher, leading to the displacement of tens of thousands of individuals already facing dire conditions, including famine. El-Fasher has been under siege for over a year and remains a critical stronghold for the Sudanese army in Darfur.
The United States has accused the RSF of committing genocide against non-Arab populations in Darfur, an assertion the RSF has denied, attributing the violence to local militias. The U.S. has also imposed sanctions on Sudanese Army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for alleged civilian deaths and the use of food deprivation in warfare.
Since the conflict began in April 2023, the RSF has intensified its offensive on el-Fasher. A Yale University study analyzing satellite images found evidence suggesting an intention to trap civilians in the area. The UN report advocates for an arms embargo and calls for an independent judicial process to hold alleged perpetrators accountable. The ongoing civil war in Sudan has reportedly resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and forced approximately 13 million people to flee their homes.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czewgl1171lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss