Survivors who fled El Fasher in Sudan’s North Darfur State have shared harrowing testimonies with Amnesty International, revealing how Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters executed unarmed civilians and committed sexual violence against women and girls during the capture of the city.
Eyewitness Accounts of Military Violence Sudan
Amnesty International interviewed 28 survivors who reached safety in Tawila and Tina, near Chad. These firsthand accounts describe RSF fighters shooting, beating, and taking hostages for ransom. Women and girls were victims of sexual assault, with many witnessing hundreds of bodies left in El Fasher’s streets.
“In the coming weeks, more evidence will emerge of the violence committed by RSF fighters in El Fasher. This persistent, widespread violence against civilians constitutes war crimes. All those responsible must be held accountable,” said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International Secretary General.
Survivors’ Stories Highlight Urgent Need for Accountability
Ahmed*, 21, described escaping El Fasher with his family, only to see his brother and other men executed by RSF fighters. Khalil*, 34, narrowly survived a massacre after being caught with 20 others. Daoud*, 19, witnessed his friends being killed by RSF fighters at the city’s perimeter.
Badr*, 26, recounted being blindfolded and detained along with five others, observing RSF soldiers laughing while committing executions.
Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls
Women survivors described brutal sexual assaults. Ibtisam* said her 14-year-old daughter was also assaulted, ultimately falling critically ill. Khaltoum*, 29, reported being repeatedly raped while detained and witnessing other women subjected to similar violence.
International Response Needed
Amnesty International calls on the UN, African Union, EU, and global actors to apply diplomatic pressure on the RSF leadership to halt attacks and sexual violence. They urge enforcement of the UN arms embargo across Sudan to prevent further facilitation of military violence Sudan.
“The RSF were killing people as if they were flies. It was a massacre. None of the people killed were armed soldiers,” Khalil* said.
The ongoing conflict between RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has displaced over 12 million people and caused tens of thousands of deaths, marking Sudan as the site of the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
Sustaining Awareness and Action
Amnesty International emphasizes the need for a fully resourced UN Human Rights Council Sudan Fact-Finding Mission to investigate violations, including those in El Fasher. The international community must ensure accountability, protect civilians, and curb external support fueling the RSF’s attacks.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International. Read full artical here.
