Amnesty International has uncovered chilling revelations about the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a notorious Sudanese paramilitary group, that have left the world gasping in horror. The report, which focuses on the town of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, accuses the RSF of committing war crimes that showcase a shocking escalation in the ongoing conflict ravaging Sudan.
Amnesty's findings are nothing short of gut-wrenching. Survivor testimonies reveal a gruesome takeover of el-Fasher, where RSF fighters brutally executed unarmed men and unleashed a wave of sexual violence against women and girls. The streets were littered with “hundreds of abandoned corpses,” a haunting image that highlights the utter chaos and brutality inflicted upon innocent civilians. To make matters worse, the RSF reportedly held many civilians hostage for ransom, plunging the community into further despair.
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, did not mince words, declaring, “This persistent and widespread violence against civilians constitutes war crimes and may also constitute other crimes under international law.” Despite these harrowing accusations, the RSF has yet to mount a serious defense, only vaguely acknowledging some wrongdoing while promising an investigation that many believe will lead nowhere.
The RSF’s violent takeover of el-Fasher is a chilling chapter in a brutal conflict that has been raging against the Sudanese army for over two and a half years. After an 18-month siege, el-Fasher fell into their hands, marking a tragic milestone for the Darfur region. Eyewitness accounts paint a horrifying picture of RSF fighters conducting house-to-house searches, terrorizing civilians, and committing unspeakable acts of sexual violence. The World Health Organization has reported a staggering 460 fatalities at a local hospital due to gunfire, while medical personnel have been abducted amid the chaos.
The testimonies collected by Amnesty from 28 survivors who fled el-Fasher are harrowing. One mother recounted the unimaginable trauma of being raped alongside her 14-year-old daughter, who later succumbed to her injuries in a makeshift clinic. Another survivor, a 29-year-old woman, detailed the systematic nature of the violence, describing her own horrific experience of being abducted and raped. These accounts raise urgent alarms about the systematic targeting of women and girls in this conflict.
Callamard urged global leaders not to turn a blind eye, stating, “The world must not look away as more and more details emerge about the RSF's brutal attack on el-Fasher.” She emphasized the need for accountability, pointing fingers at external actors like the United Arab Emirates for allegedly supporting the RSF. The UAE has categorically denied these claims, but the implications are grave, suggesting that foreign involvement could be sustaining this horrific cycle of violence against civilians.
The conflict ignited in April 2023, fueled by a bitter power struggle between the army and the RSF, resulting in over 40,000 deaths,a figure human rights organizations argue is likely a gross underestimate. The humanitarian crisis has spiraled out of control, displacing more than 14 million people as violence continues to erupt across the nation.
With roots tracing back to the infamous Janjaweed militia, responsible for genocidal campaigns in the 2000s, the RSF's legacy is one of terror and destruction. As the Biden administration has officially labeled their actions as genocide in Darfur, the international community must grapple with the scale of these atrocities. While both the RSF and the Sudanese army have faced accusations of inhumanity, the RSF’s actions have drawn particularly fierce condemnation, raising urgent questions about accountability and intervention in this crisis.
