Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have allegedly committed numerous crimes against humanity during their siege of the city of el-Fasher in Darfur, according to a report from UN investigators. The report details accusations of 'murder, torture, enslavement, rape, sexual slavery, sexual violence, forced displacement and persecution on ethnic, gender and political grounds.' Both the RSF and the regular army have denied any wrongdoing in the ongoing civil war, yet the report cites a disturbing pattern of targeted aggression against civilians.

The UN Fact-Finding Mission's chair, Mohamed Chande Othman, stated, 'Both sides have deliberately targeted civilians through attacks, summary executions, arbitrary detention, torture, and inhuman treatment in detention facilities.' He emphasized that these acts are not incidental but rather systematic strategies that may constitute war crimes.

Particularly alarming is the use of starvation as a weapon, especially following the RSF's storming of the Zamzam camp near el-Fasher, which further exacerbated the plight of those already facing dire humanitarian conditions. The city has remained under siege for over a year, marking it as the last significant stronghold for the Sudanese army in the Darfur region.

The US government has accused the RSF of committing genocide against non-Arab populations in Darfur, leading to sanctions against army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for his alleged role in orchestrating civilian deaths. The civil conflict, which began in April 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and the displacement of over 13 million Sudanese.

This report, titled 'A War of Atrocities,' calls for the international community to enforce an arms embargo and establish an independent judicial process to ensure justice for the victims. 'Our findings leave no room for doubt: civilians are paying the highest price in this war,' added Mr Othman.