The capture of Al-Faschir by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has unleashed a fresh wave of harrowing reports detailing widespread atrocities against civilians, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. Following a 17-month siege, the fall of this key military stronghold in the volatile Darfur region marks a significant escalation in the conflict, raising critical questions about international accountability and the efficacy of current response measures.
While the RSF has publicly portrayed itself as a stabilizing force, disseminating a video purportedly showcasing its fighters detaining Abu Lulu, a notorious figure known as the “TikTok butcher” for boasting of murdering approximately 2,000 individuals on the platform, the reality on the ground paints a vastly different picture. Survivor testimonies consistently reveal systematic violence and targeted killings.
Reports from Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) detail a particularly gruesome incident where a group of approximately 500 civilians and soldiers attempting to flee on October 26th were allegedly attacked, with the vast majority killed or captured. One witness recounted surviving only because he was recognized by a fighter, while all others in his group of 300 were executed.
The United Nations Fact-Finding Mission has released preliminary findings suggesting a pattern of ethnically targeted killings, indicating a deliberate strategy of violence. Survivors describe checkpoints where individuals were segregated based on gender, age and perceived ethnicity. Disturbingly, accounts of sexual violence against women are emerging, with one 19-year-old reporting being raped after being questioned about her virginity. Numerous women have reported narrowly escaping similar assaults.
Alongside the violence, a lucrative system of hostage-taking and extortion appears to be operating. Detainees are reportedly being held for ransom, with demands ranging from 5 to 30 million Sudanese pounds (approximately €7,000 to €43,000). One survivor claims to have paid 24 million pounds to secure his release, highlighting the brutal exploitation fueling the conflict.
Compounding the crisis, the RSF and its allies are actively obstructing civilians’ attempts to reach safer locations like Tawila. While the UN estimates over 62,000 people have fled Al-Faschir, relief organizations estimate that only around 5,000 arrived in Tawila in the initial five days, leaving the fate of over 50,000 individuals tragically unknown. The obstruction of escape routes raises serious concerns about potential complicity in maintaining the ongoing violence.
The international community faces a critical moment to assess the adequacy of its response and to consider targeted sanctions and investigative measures to hold perpetrators accountable for these egregious violations of human rights and potential war crimes.