UN Warns of Mounting Atrocities by RSF in Sudan’s El Fasher and Bara Cities

The United Nations has raised alarm over what it described as a rapidly deteriorating and "extremely precarious" situation in Sudan's conflict-torn Darfur and Kordofan regions, following credible reports of atrocities, including summary executions and ethnically motivated killings, carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The UN Human Rights Office said it had received multiple, distressing reports of widespread abuses by RSF fighters after their recent takeover of large parts of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and Bara, a city in North Kordofan state.

RSF Seizes Control Amid Widespread Atrocities

According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, the RSF's declaration that it had taken control of the Sudanese army's 6th Infantry Division in El Fasher has triggered an alarming surge in violence against civilians. "The risk of further large-scale, ethnically motivated violations and atrocities in El Fasher is mounting by the day," Türk warned, urging immediate international action to protect civilians and provide safe passage to those attempting to flee.

The RSF's siege of El Fasher, which has lasted 18 months, has left hundreds of thousands of people trapped without adequate food, water, or medical aid. Reports indicate that fighters have been executing civilians attempting to escape the city, often along ethnic lines. Disturbing video evidence received by the UN Human Rights Office reportedly shows dozens of unarmed men shot dead or surrounded by RSF fighters accusing them of being members of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

Civilians Trapped in Fear and Starvation

Witnesses and humanitarian sources have described a harrowing situation for residents of El Fasher, who are facing severe shortages of food and basic supplies. Prices of essential goods have skyrocketed, and starvation is reportedly being used as a weapon of war. In one particularly disturbing incident, five men were executed by RSF fighters for attempting to bring food into the besieged city.

The UN Office also reported the detention of hundreds of civilians, including journalists and aid workers, many of whom were caught trying to flee. Given the documented patterns of gender-based violence in previous RSF operations in North Darfur, the likelihood of sexual violence against women and girls is described as "extremely high."

From 22 to 26 October, intense artillery shelling caused numerous civilian deaths, including among local humanitarian volunteers. However, the exact death toll remains unknown due to communication blackouts and the mass displacement of residents.

Atrocities Spread to North Kordofan

The violence is not limited to Darfur. In Bara city, North Kordofan state, RSF fighters reportedly executed civilians accused of supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces after capturing the city on 25 October. According to preliminary information, dozens of civilians have been killed, reflecting a pattern of reprisal attacks and ethnically targeted violence spreading beyond Darfur.

Türk condemned the killings and demanded that the RSF immediately halt all abuses and uphold international humanitarian law. "The RSF must urgently take concrete steps to end and prevent abuses against civilians in both El Fasher and Bara, including ethnically motivated violence and reprisal attacks," he said.

International Humanitarian Law and Calls for Accountability

The UN High Commissioner reminded RSF commanders that international humanitarian law strictly prohibits violence against persons no longer participating in hostilities (hors de combat) and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.

Türk urged the international community to intensify diplomatic pressure on the RSF and its allies to stop the ongoing atrocities. "Member States with influence must act urgently to prevent large-scale atrocities and ensure accountability for violations by all parties," he said, stressing that impunity would only perpetuate Sudan's devastating cycle of violence.

A Country in Humanitarian Freefall

The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces, which began in April 2023, has devastated the nation, pushing millions into hunger and displacement. El Fasher, once a hub for humanitarian operations in Darfur, has become a symbol of the conflict's brutality. Aid agencies report that access to the region remains extremely limited due to the siege and persistent insecurity.

The UN estimates that more than 10 million Sudanese have been displaced since the conflict began—one of the largest displacement crises in the world. Civilians in areas under RSF control continue to report systematic looting, gender-based violence, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and water facilities.

Global Urgency to End the Conflict

Türk's appeal echoes repeated warnings from humanitarian organisations that Sudan is on the brink of total societal collapse unless urgent action is taken. The High Commissioner called for stronger international engagement, including sanctions against perpetrators of war crimes, support for humanitarian corridors, and renewed efforts for a negotiated ceasefire.

"The world cannot remain silent as civilians are executed, starved, and terrorised," Türk warned. "Sudan is descending deeper into chaos, and every day of inaction costs more innocent lives."

As the RSF tightens its grip on parts of Darfur and Kordofan, the fate of thousands of civilians hangs in the balance—caught between warring factions, international indifference, and a worsening humanitarian catastrophe.