What's happened
The RSF captured El-Fasher in Darfur last month, with evidence suggesting they collected and burned hundreds of bodies to conceal crimes. Humanitarian groups report mass killings, ethnic violence, and a humanitarian crisis, urging international investigation amid ongoing conflict since April 2023.
What's behind the headline?
The reports from multiple sources confirm that the RSF's actions in El-Fasher constitute a systematic genocide, with mass graves and burned bodies indicating an attempt to erase evidence. The ethnic dimension, particularly targeting darker-skinned civilians like the Zaghawa, reveals a racial component to the violence. The international silence and lack of decisive action risk emboldening the RSF and prolonging the conflict. The recent calls for designating the RSF as a terrorist organization and the ongoing diplomatic efforts suggest that the crisis could escalate further unless significant international intervention occurs. The situation underscores the failure of global mechanisms to prevent or halt such atrocities, raising questions about accountability and the effectiveness of current sanctions and diplomatic pressures.
What the papers say
The New Arab, The Independent, Al Jazeera all report on the RSF's mass grave and body-burning practices in El-Fasher, emphasizing the scale of atrocities and the systematic effort to conceal evidence. The New Arab highlights the UN's description of El-Fasher as a 'city of grief' and calls for an independent inquiry. The Independent stresses the genocide aspect and ethnic targeting, with accounts of mass killings and mass displacement. Al Jazeera provides detailed testimonies from fleeing residents and satellite evidence, reinforcing the narrative of widespread violence and ethnic violence. While all sources agree on the severity of the crimes, some emphasize the international community's inaction, with calls for stronger sanctions and investigations. The reports collectively portray a grim picture of ongoing atrocities and the urgent need for accountability.
How we got here
Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has led to widespread violence, displacement, and atrocities, especially in Darfur, where the RSF has a history of ethnic violence. Recent events in El-Fasher highlight a brutal escalation, with reports of mass killings, ethnic targeting, and efforts to hide evidence of crimes committed during the city's takeover.
Go deeper
Common question
-
What’s Happening in El-Fasher? Darfur Crisis Explained
The situation in El-Fasher, Darfur, has escalated into a humanitarian disaster marked by mass killings and efforts to hide evidence of atrocities. With reports of bodies being burned and widespread violence, many are asking what’s really happening on the ground. This page explores the key questions about the crisis, the evidence of mass killings, and the international response. If you’re wondering why bodies are being burned or what the current humanitarian situation looks like, read on for clear, factual answers.
More on these topics
-
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
-
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
-
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.