UN-backed human rights investigators have issued a grave warning that recent violence in Sudan’s Darfur region may carry the hallmarks of genocide.
According to a new report, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched what experts described as a “campaign of destruction” in and around the city of Al Fasher in October. After an 18-month siege, the RSF takeover was marked by extreme brutality, especially against the Zaghawa and Fur ethnic communities.
UN officials say several thousand civilians were killed, and only about 40% of the city’s 260,000 residents managed to escape. The fate of many others remains unknown.
The violence reportedly included mass executions, sexual violence, torture, abductions for ransom, and enforced disappearances. In just three days, more than 6,000 people were killed, and hundreds more died in a nearby displacement camp.
Investigators said at least three major genocide criteria were met, including:
Killing members of an ethnic group
Causing severe physical and mental harm
Creating living conditions meant to destroy the community
The UN team stressed that the atrocities did not appear to be random acts of war, but rather planned and organized attacks with ethnic intent.
The report calls urgently for accountability and stronger protection of civilians, warning that Darfur is facing one of the darkest chapters of Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
