A United Nations investigation has determined that Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed genocide in the western city of el-Fasher. The findings, released on July 9, 2026, reveal systematic violence, including mass killings, gang rapes, and starvation as part of a deliberate policy against civilians.
Details of the UN Findings on RSF Actions
The UN Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan concluded that the RSF’s campaign during and after its siege of el-Fasher amounted to genocide. This new report builds on a previous investigation from February, which identified early signs of genocide. Survivors described horrific conditions, including being raped in rooms where bodies of their family members lay.
The report highlighted that the RSF and its allies engaged in the war crime of starvation by imposing a prolonged siege on el-Fasher, obstructing relief supplies, and shelling food production systems. The RSF has denied these allegations, claiming they are fabricated by enemies during the ongoing conflict with the Sudanese military.
Urgent Warnings for Other Regions in Sudan
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has warned of an unfolding catastrophe in el-Obeid, another major city surrounded by RSF forces. His office documented patterns of summary executions, abductions, torture, and sexual violence in the surrounding regions, intensifying concerns about potential large-scale atrocities.
The international community has been urged to act promptly to prevent further violence. Members of the UN Human Rights Council condemned the RSF’s actions and initiated an urgent inquiry into reported abuses in el-Obeid, which is home to approximately 500,000 residents, including over 83,000 internally displaced individuals.
Historical Context of Violence in Sudan
For much of Sudan’s civil war, attention has been directed towards Khartoum and the Darfur region. However, recent weeks have seen a shift towards el-Obeid as fighting escalates across the Kordofan region in central Sudan. The RSF’s recent actions in el-Fasher, targeting non-Arab communities, have drawn international condemnation and further scrutiny.
The UN report emphasizes that the patterns of violence documented in el-Fasher serve as a critical warning for the international community. Mohamed Chande Othman, the mission's chairman, stated, “The patterns we documented in el-Fasher – including encirclement, attacks on civilian infrastructure, restrictions on humanitarian access and widespread abuses against civilians – serve as a stark warning.”
- Mass killings reported in el-Fasher
- Gang rapes described by survivors
- Deliberate starvation tactics employed
- Urgent inquiry set up by UN Human Rights Council
- Risk of atrocities in el-Obeid
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Al Jazeera. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
