Amnesty International says Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing during fighting around el-Fasher in North Darfur. Multiple outlets report that Amnesty’s findings relate to RSF assaults on the city, including attacks that Amnesty characterizes as part of a widespread and systematic campaign against civilians. Reported abuses include killing, torture, rape, enslavement and sexual slavery, along with deliberate targeting of children, according to Amnesty and summaries carried by several media organizations.
The allegations come amid a long-running conflict that began in April 2023 between Sudan’s army and the RSF. The UN has described the war as having killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. Other sources note that the UN independent fact-finding mission has previously pointed to evidence consistent with genocide having “the hallmarks of genocide” in el-Fasher, while both sides have been accused of atrocities.
The reported Amnesty allegations focus on actions attributed to the RSF in and around el-Fasher, a strategic state capital, and add to the body of international rights and investigative findings on mass civilian harm in the conflict.
