Sudan’s El Fasher: A Descent into Potential Genocide and the Looming Threat Across Darfur
The recent UN report detailing atrocities in El Fasher, Sudan, paints a harrowing picture of escalating violence and raises the specter of genocide. The findings, released on February 13, 2026, reveal a systematic campaign of terror unleashed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during their offensive to capture the city last October. The scale of the brutality – with documented deaths exceeding 6,000 in the first three days alone and estimates soaring above 60,000 – demands immediate international attention.
The RSF’s Reign of Terror: Patterns of Atrocity
The RSF, formed in 2013 from existing Janjaweed militias, has a documented history of violence in Darfur. These militias were key perpetrators of the Darfur genocide against the Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa ethnic groups. The recent attacks in El Fasher echo those past atrocities, targeting non-Arab ethnicities including the Fur, Zaghawa, and Berti, as well as prisoners of war from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The report details mass killings, summary executions, sexual violence, abductions for ransom, torture, and the use of child soldiers.
Eyewitness accounts are particularly chilling. One survivor described seeing bodies “thrown into the air like a scene out of a horror movie” after RSF fighters opened fire with heavy weapons on a crowd sheltering at Al-Rashid dormitory in El Fasher University on October 26th. The deliberate nature of the attacks, coupled with open calls for the extermination of specific ethnic groups, points to a calculated effort to inflict maximum harm.
Defining the Line: Genocide and the Five Criteria
The UN report stops short of definitively labeling the events in El Fasher as genocide, stating that only a court of law can make such a determination. However, it highlights that the RSF’s actions meet at least three of the five criteria outlined in the international Genocide Convention: killing members of a group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, and deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about physical destruction.
The report emphasizes the “genocidal intent” behind the RSF’s actions, citing evidence of systematic targeting and explicit statements calling for the elimination of non-Arab communities. This intent, coupled with the scale and brutality of the violence, raises serious concerns about the potential for further atrocities.
Beyond El Fasher: The Expanding Crisis in Darfur and Kordofan
The situation in El Fasher is not isolated. The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has triggered one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Over 12 million people have been displaced, and an estimated 40,000 have been killed. The violence has spread beyond Khartoum to regions like Darfur and Kordofan, exacerbating existing ethnic tensions and creating a breeding ground for further atrocities.
The UN mission’s findings warn of a growing risk of similar genocidal violence in Kordofan, where the conflict is intensifying. The lack of protection for civilians and the ongoing impunity for perpetrators are fueling a cycle of violence that threatens to engulf the entire region.
The Role of Impunity and the Need for Accountability
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has stressed the importance of accountability for the perpetrators of these crimes. “Persistent impunity fuels continued cycles of violence,” he stated. However, bringing those responsible to justice will be a significant challenge, given the ongoing conflict and the lack of a functioning legal system in Sudan.
The RSF, led by Hemedti, has dismissed the UN report and claims its capture of El Fasher was a “historical military victory.” This denial of responsibility underscores the need for independent investigations and international pressure to ensure that those responsible for the atrocities are held accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RSF?
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is a Sudanese paramilitary group created in 2013 from existing Janjaweed militias. They have been implicated in widespread human rights abuses, including genocide.
What is happening in El Fasher?
El Fasher has been the site of intense violence since the RSF launched an offensive to capture the city in October 2025. The UN reports mass killings, sexual violence, and other atrocities committed against civilians.
Is this considered genocide?
The UN report suggests the RSF’s actions meet several criteria for genocide, but a formal determination can only be made by a court of law.
What is the international response?
The UN has called for investigations and accountability for the perpetrators of the atrocities. However, a more comprehensive international response is needed to address the root causes of the conflict and protect civilians.
The situation in Sudan demands urgent action. Without a concerted effort to address the root causes of the conflict, hold perpetrators accountable, and protect vulnerable populations, the risk of further atrocities – and potentially genocide – will only continue to grow. Explore more reporting on the Sudan conflict here.
