What's happened
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reports that RSF forces committed war crimes in el-Fasher, Sudan, including mass killings, sexual violence, and starvation tactics during an 18-month siege. Survivors describe horrific violence, with calls for accountability amid ongoing conflict and drone strikes.
What's behind the headline?
The UN's detailed report underscores the severity of atrocities committed by the RSF, highlighting systematic mass killings and sexual violence as war crimes and crimes against humanity. The consistent accounts from survivors reveal a pattern of targeted violence based on ethnicity, notably against the Zaghawa. The ongoing use of drone strikes by both sides exacerbates civilian suffering and complicates peace efforts. The international community's failure to prevent these atrocities, despite early warnings, indicates a critical need for stronger enforcement of arms embargoes and accountability mechanisms. The escalation in Kordofan suggests that unless decisive action is taken, the cycle of violence will deepen, prolonging Sudan's humanitarian crisis and risking regional destabilization. The UN's call for extending arms embargoes and holding perpetrators accountable should be prioritized to prevent further atrocities and foster a pathway toward peace.
What the papers say
The articles from Al Jazeera, The Japan Times, All Africa, and Reuters collectively depict a grim picture of Sudan's ongoing conflict, emphasizing the scale of war crimes and the international community's response. Al Jazeera provides detailed survivor testimonies and UN calls for accountability, while The Japan Times highlights the urgency of ending violence and impunity. All Africa and Reuters focus on the broader humanitarian impact, including displacement, famine, and continued drone strikes. Divergences include the emphasis on specific atrocities—Al Jazeera on mass killings and sexual violence, Reuters on ongoing military operations and civilian casualties, and The Japan Times on the need for accountability and prevention. These perspectives collectively reinforce the gravity of the crisis and the necessity for urgent international intervention.
How we got here
The conflict in Sudan escalated in April 2023 after the breakdown of a power-sharing agreement between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The ensuing violence has led to widespread human rights violations, displacement, and famine, with the RSF seizing control of key cities like El-Fasher after prolonged sieges. The UN has documented war crimes, including mass killings, sexual violence, and starvation as methods of warfare, with international calls for arms embargoes and accountability.
Go deeper
Common question
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What’s Causing the Escalation of Violence in Sudan?
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What’s Happening in Sudan Right Now?
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More on these topics
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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
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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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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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The United Nations Human Rights Council is a United Nations body whose mission is to promote and protect human rights around the world. The UNHRC has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis. The headquarters of UNHRC is
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The Sudanese Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of the Sudan. During the 39-month transition to democracy that started in September 2019, the August 2019 Draft Constitutional Declaration defines the Supreme Commander of the Sudanese Arme