Evidence of systematic killings has emerged from the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, a development that human rights and aid activists describe as a "continuation of the Darfur genocide." The city, located in the Darfur region, recently came under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after an 18-month siege. These events highlight aspects of the country's ongoing civil war, drawing comparisons to past conflicts in Sudan.
Current Reports of Violence in el-Fasher
Those who have fled el-Fasher report experiencing extreme violence and killings. Satellite imagery from Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab shows what appear to be massacre sites, with clusters of bodies and reddish patches on the ground that analysts suggest could be blood stains. Researchers from Yale describe el-Fasher as experiencing a "systematic and intentional process of ethnic cleansing of… indigenous non-Arab communities through forced displacement and summary execution."
Survivors have provided accounts of the violence:
- One man, who escaped to Tawila, described the situation in el-Fasher as "extremely dire" with "violations taking place on the roads, including looting and shooting, with no distinction made between young or old."
- Another woman, Ikram Abdelhameed, reported to Reuters that RSF soldiers separated fleeing civilians at an earthen barrier around the city and shot the men.
RSF Involvement and Accusations
The RSF originated from the Janjaweed, Arab militias accused of extensive killings of non-Arab Darfuris in the early 2000s. Since its conflict with the Sudanese military began in April 2023, the RSF has faced accusations of ethnic killings. While the RSF leadership has consistently denied these accusations, its leader, Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, acknowledged "violations" in el-Fasher on Wednesday.
Allegations against the RSF are supported by:
- Videos reportedly shared by RSF fighters themselves, showing summary executions of mostly male civilians and former combatants, celebrations over bodies, and abuse of individuals.
- Reports from survivors of the RSF takeover of the Zamzam displaced persons camp near el-Fasher earlier this year, according to a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) investigation.
Ethnic Dimensions of the Conflict
The conflict in el-Fasher has an ethnic component. Local armed groups from the Zaghawa tribe, known as the Joint Force, have been fighting alongside the army. RSF fighters are reported by survivors to view Zaghawa civilians as targets.
Accusations of ethnically motivated targeting have been made against both sides:
- The RSF is accused of targeting non-Arab communities.
- The army has been accused of targeting ethnic groups it perceives as supporting the RSF in areas it has retaken, including parts of Sennar, Gezira, and North Kordofan states.
- Emi Mahmoud, strategic director of the IDP Humanitarian Network, stated that civilians are not safe, even in Khartoum, due to actions by armed groups.
Historical Context and Patterns of Violence
In 2003, Sudan's military government enlisted the Janjaweed to suppress rebellions by Black African groups in Darfur, who had accused Khartoum of political and economic marginalization. This established a pattern of violence that Kate Ferguson, co-founder of Protection Approaches, states has been repeated.
This pattern was evident in the 2023 killings of Masalit tribe members in el-Geneina, West Darfur, which the UN estimated killed up to 15,000 people. Ms. Ferguson described a repeated RSF strategy:
- Encirclement of target towns/cities.
- Weakening of areas by cutting off food, medicine, power, and internet access.
- Overwhelming the population with systematic arson, sexual violence, killings, and destruction of infrastructure.
- Ms. Ferguson characterizes this as a "deliberate strategy to destroy and displace," leading her to use the term "genocide."
RSF Leadership's Response and Skepticism
Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, released a video expressing regret for the "disaster" in el-Fasher, claiming the war was "forced upon us." He admitted "violations" by his forces and pledged that a committee would investigate them, with results announced publicly.
However, observers note that similar promises made by Gen Dagalo regarding accusations in el-Geneina and alleged atrocities in Gezira state were not fulfilled. Questions remain about the extent of control the RSF leadership has over its forces, which include hired militias, allied Arab groups, and mercenaries from Chad and South Sudan. Ms. Mahmoud expressed doubt that commands from Hemedti would be consistently followed by ground forces.
International Calls for Action
Aid groups and activists caution that current patterns of violence may continue if no intervention occurs, stating that the killings in el-Fasher were predictable and that the international community did not act to protect civilians despite warnings.
Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab, indicated that his organization had presented options, including "protection kinetic option [direct military action]," to UN Security Council elements and various governments in the past year. He emphasized the need for "immediate action."
Activists are also urging pressure on the United Arab Emirates, which is widely accused of providing military support to the RSF. The UAE denies these accusations, despite evidence cited in UN reports and international media investigations. Ms. Mahmoud drew a parallel to the "siege of Sarajevo" and the "Srebrenica moment," suggesting the current events should prompt similar international action.