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UN mission concludes genocide occurred in el-Fasher
A United Nations fact-finding team has determined that atrocities committed during the Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) capture of el-Fasher in Darfur constitute genocide against the Zaghawa and Fur ethnic groups.
Eighteen-month siege culminates in mass violence
The RSF seized el-Fasher in late October following an 18-month blockade, marking one of the most brutal episodes in Sudan's nearly three-year civil war. The UN report details a pattern of starvation, denial of humanitarian aid, mass killings, rape, torture, and enforced disappearances.
Mona Rishmawi, a member of the fact-finding mission, stated: "The body of evidence we collected leaves only one reasonable inference: the RSF acted with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the Zaghawa and Fur communities."
Genocidal acts identified
The report outlines three key genocidal acts: killing members of protected ethnic groups, causing serious bodily and mental harm, and deliberately creating conditions aimed at physical destruction. Investigators describe the siege as a calculated effort to weaken the targeted population before unleashing extreme violence.
During three days of unrestrained attacks, thousands of Zaghawa civilians were killed, raped, or disappeared, with RSF forces making no distinction between non-combatants and armed defenders.
RSF leadership implicated
The UN mission named RSF leader Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) and spokesperson Lt Col Al-Fatih Al-Qurashi, citing their public statements celebrating the operation. While Hemedti acknowledged some "violations" and promised investigations, the RSF failed to respond to the UN's requests for clarification.
The report emphasizes that the scale and coordination of the assault indicate a planned operation rather than isolated incidents. One commander, known as "Abu Lulu," was arrested after footage of his brutality went viral, but no information on judicial proceedings was provided.
International calls for accountability
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, calling the findings "truly horrific," announced plans to present the report to the UN Security Council. She urged international criminal investigations, an end to arms flows fueling the conflict, and expanded sanctions.
"There must be accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims. The world is still failing the people of Sudan."
Yvette Cooper, UK Foreign Secretary
Cooper also highlighted the systematic sexual violence against women and called for a humanitarian ceasefire and unimpeded aid access.
Foreign backing and ongoing risks
The report notes that the RSF's campaign was bolstered by foreign mercenaries equipped with advanced weaponry. While the UAE has been widely accused of backing the RSF-despite its denials-the UN mission did not investigate external actors' roles but plans to address this in future reports.
Investigators warn that without prevention and accountability, the risk of further genocidal acts remains "serious and ongoing." They urge enforcement of the Darfur arms embargo, cooperation with the International Criminal Court, and potential establishment of a complementary judicial mechanism.
Security Council to address crisis
The UN Security Council session aims to push for a humanitarian truce, though progress has been elusive due to the warring parties' framing of the conflict as existential. Both sides continue to receive sophisticated weapons from foreign backers, prolonging the suffering.
Cooper emphasized: "When the stories of el-Fasher emerged, it should have been a turning point. Today, we must ensure the world does not look away."
