Sudan's El-Fasher: A Tragic Week of Violence

The city of el-Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region witnessed a brutal assault that left more than six thousand people dead over just three days, according to a United Nations investigation. The attack was carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied Janjaweed militia, who overran the town after a prolonged siege that began in mid-2023.

UN Report Details Atrocities

The 29-page UN report lists a wide range of crimes:

• Mass killings
• Summary executions
• Sexual violence
• Abductions for ransom
• Torture
• Forced disappearances

Many of these acts appeared to target specific ethnic groups, adding a layer of ethnic hatred to the already tense conflict.

Horrific Incidents

One of the most horrific incidents involved RSF troops opening fire from heavy weapons on a crowd of about one thousand people sheltering in a university dormitory. Roughly half of those present were killed, and witnesses described the scene as "like a horror movie." In another episode, around six hundred individuals—including fifty children—were executed while taking refuge in university facilities. The true death toll is likely far higher than the figures reported.

Systematic Sexual Violence

Sexual violence was also rampant, with women and girls from the African Zaghawa tribe being assaulted on a systematic basis. Survivors testified that rape was used deliberately as a weapon of war to terrorize and destabilize communities.

Detentions and Disappearances

The RSF also detained thousands in at least ten facilities, including a children's hospital that was converted into a prison. Many people remain missing and unaccounted for, raising grave concerns about crimes against humanity.

RSF Commander's Response

The RSF’s commander, General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, has admitted that his fighters committed abuses but downplays the scale of the atrocities. International bodies, including the United Nations Human Rights Office and the World Health Organization, have documented the widespread violence and are urging accountability.