United Nations Report Unveils Genocidal Campaign by RSF in El Fashir

El fashir: The United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan issued a report revealing that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia conducted a coordinated campaign of destruction against non-Arab communities in El-Fashir and surrounding areas, with actions indicative of genocide.According to Sudan News Agency, the Mission documented war crimes and crimes against humanity, establishing evidence of acts constituting genocide. These acts include killing members of a protected ethnic group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, and inflicting life conditions meant to destroy the group, core elements of genocide under international law.The report, titled 'Indicators of Genocide in El-Fashir,' concludes that genocidal intent is evident from the RSF's ethnically targeted killings, sexual violence, destruction, and public statements calling for the elimination of non-Arab communities, especially the Zaghawa and Foor tribes.Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, Mohamed Chande Othman, stated that the operation's sca le, coordination, and public endorsement from RSF leaders demonstrate that the crimes were not random but part of a planned operation indicative of genocide.The campaign to seize El-Fashir involved an 18-month siege weakening the population through starvation, deprivation, psychological trauma, and detention, conditions imposed to lead to their destruction. Residents, exhausted and malnourished, were left defenseless amid overwhelming violence, with thousands, especially from the Zaghawa tribe, killed, raped, or disappeared over three days.The report details conduct against protected ethnic groups, including mass killings, sexual violence, torture, arbitrary detention, extortion, and enforced disappearance during the city's late October takeover, demonstrating intent to destroy targeted groups.Identity-based targeting related to ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation was central to the RSF operation, with fighters openly declaring intent to eliminate non-Arab communities, providing evidence of gen ocidal intent.Discriminatory slurs and ethnically charged insults accompanied systematic acts of rape, targeting women and girls from Zaghawa and Foor tribes, while often sparing Arab women, underscoring the violence's discriminatory purpose.Mission expert Muna Rishmawi stated that the evidence, including the siege, starvation, and mass killings, leads to the conclusion that the RSF intended to destroy the Zaghawa and Foor communities in El-Fashir.The crimes occurred amid warnings and indicators of atrocity risks, reflecting a failure of prevention. Mission member Joy Ngozi Ezeilo emphasized the urgency of civilian protection as the conflict expands into the Kordofan region.The Mission assesses that the risk of further genocidal acts remains grave without effective deterrence and accountability. Othman stressed that perpetrators at all command levels must be held accountable, highlighting the international community's responsibility to prevent genocide and ensure justice.