What's happened
The RSF captured el-Fasher in Darfur after an 18-month siege, with reports of civilians killed, sexual assaults, and hospital attacks. The ICC is collecting evidence for future prosecutions, amid fears of a return to past genocidal violence. The fall marks a new, brutal phase in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
What's behind the headline?
The fall of el-Fasher to the RSF signifies a critical escalation in Sudan’s civil war, with the paramilitary group consolidating control over a quarter of the country. The reports of mass killings, sexual violence, and hospital attacks echo past genocidal episodes, raising fears of a repeat of Darfur’s darkest history. The ICC’s ongoing investigations and evidence collection efforts underscore the international community’s attempt to hold perpetrators accountable, but the situation on the ground remains dire. The involvement of foreign backers, such as the UAE, complicates efforts to restrain violence. This development will likely prolong the conflict, deepen humanitarian crises, and hinder prospects for peace, with civilians bearing the brunt of ongoing atrocities. The international response, including potential sanctions or interventions, will be pivotal in shaping Sudan’s future stability.
What the papers say
The articles from France 24, The Times of Israel, The Independent, Reuters, and AP News collectively highlight the severity of the situation in Darfur. France 24 emphasizes the ICC’s view that atrocities may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, with evidence being gathered for future prosecutions. The Times of Israel notes the strategic significance of the RSF’s control over more than a quarter of Sudan and the historical context of Janjaweed militias. The Independent underscores the ongoing violence, the humanitarian crisis, and the Red Cross’s warnings of a repeat of past atrocities. Reuters details the ICC’s long-standing investigation since 2005, including recent convictions, and the broader pattern of violence. AP News echoes these points, emphasizing the brutal nature of the conflict and the international efforts to preserve evidence for accountability. While all sources agree on the gravity of the atrocities and the threat of a return to genocidal violence, some focus more on the international legal process, while others highlight the humanitarian crisis and regional implications.
How we got here
Darfur has experienced decades of violence, beginning with a genocide in the early 2000s. The current conflict escalated in April 2023, involving the RSF and Sudanese military. The recent capture of el-Fasher by the RSF, a paramilitary group with roots in the Janjaweed militia, signals a significant shift in control and potential for renewed atrocities. The ICC has long investigated Darfur atrocities, with recent convictions highlighting ongoing accountability efforts.
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The International Criminal Court is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal that sits in The Hague, Netherlands.
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Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in North-East Africa. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southe
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Darfur is a region of western Sudan. Dār is an Arabic word meaning "home [of]" – the region was named Dardaju while ruled by the Daju, who migrated from Meroë c. 350 AD, and it was renamed Dartunjur when the Tunjur ruled the area.
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Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, commonly known as Ali Kushayb, is a senior Janjaweed commander who supported the Sudanese government against Darfur rebel groups during the Omar al-Bashir presidency.
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The Rapid Support Forces are Sudanese paramilitary forces operated by the Sudanese Government. The RSF grew out of, and is primarily composed of, the Janjaweed militias which fought on behalf of the Sudanese government during the War in Darfur, killing an