The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan have been accused of committing crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing during their campaign to seize control of El Fasher in North Darfur. A comprehensive report released by Amnesty International outlines the systematic violence perpetrated against civilians, including murder, torture, rape, and sexual slavery.
The report, based on interviews with 247 individuals, including 208 survivors, and analysis of satellite imagery, paints a grim picture of the RSF’s actions between mid-2026 and late 2026. The paramilitary force captured El Fasher in after an 18-month siege, marking a brutal takeover that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.
The Siege and Systematic Attacks
The RSF’s siege of El Fasher began in, with systematic attacks on surrounding villages and towns. These attacks targeted non-Arab communities, particularly the Zaghawa ethnic group. The RSF used derogatory and dehumanizing language, such as ‘falangay,’ during their assaults, indicating an intent to render these areas uninhabitable.
Satellite imagery and survivor testimonies reveal the destruction of towns and villages, including Abu Zerega, which was predominantly populated by non-Arab ethnic groups. The RSF’s actions are consistent with ethnic cleansing as they prevented displaced populations from returning to their homes.
Targeting of Children and Vulnerable Groups
The RSF deliberately targeted children during their attacks, subjecting them to violence, abduction, and forced recruitment. Countless children were orphaned, and hundreds of thousands were displaced, facing immense risks during attacks or while fleeing. The report highlights the acute risks faced by people with disabilities and older individuals, who were often abandoned and excluded from essential assistance.
Women and girls were subjected to widespread sexual violence, including rape and sexual slavery. Survivors described severe humiliation and abuse that left lasting physical and psychological harm. The RSF also unlawfully detained civilians, holding many hostage for ransom in horrific conditions.
International Response and Call for Action
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, described the war in Sudan as ‘a war on civilians,’ stating that the world was warned of the horrors faced by civilians in El Fasher. She emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire and the deployment of an international force to protect civilians.
The report names three RSF commanders responsible for serious violations of international law: Maj Gen Gedo Hamdan Ahmed Mohamed (Abu Shok), Lt Col Abbas Khater Bakhit, and Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris (Abu Lulu). Amnesty International calls for concrete steps to protect civilians and break the cycle of impunity.
The Sudanese civil war began in, stemming from a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF. The conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and displacements, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention.
