Sudan's RSF committed crimes against humanity in el‑Fasher, Amnesty says



A woman in a black headscarf sits thoughtfully as people and children gather in the background.

Sudanese paramilitaries committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing during their campaign to seize the city of el‑Fasher last year, a rights group report says.



The siege and takeover of el‑Fasher in western Darfur marked one of the bloodiest episodes in Sudan’s ongoing civil war between the regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).



Amnesty’s investigation states the RSF carried out murder, forced transfer, imprisonment, torture, rape, sexual slavery, other forms of sexual violence, enslavement, extermination and persecution. Read the full report.



The RSF has denied prior accusations but admits investigating the claims, while insisting the scale of atrocities is exaggerated.



Hundreds of thousands of people have died and more than 14 million have been displaced across Sudan. The UN reports widespread sexual violence against men, women and children is being used as a weapon of war.



Children were deliberately targeted; one 17‑year‑old victim described being beaten and shot on a camel, while eight of his cousins were killed. The RSF reportedly used ethnic slurs such as “slave” to target non‑Arab communities, particularly the Zaghawa who defended el‑Fasher.



The UN described el‑Fasher’s conflict as bearing the “hallmarks of genocide.” Over 6,000 people were reportedly killed in the first three days of the assault, according to UN figures.



Callamard, Amnesty secretary general, calls for an immediate ceasefire and an international protective force to safeguard civilians.



Additional reporting by Kaleb Moges