Global condemnation mounts over reported atrocities in Sudan’s El Fasher

Global outrage is mounting over reports of mass atrocities committed in El Fasher, North Darfur, after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of the strategic city earlier this week. Rights organizations and governments warn that civilians are being subjected to ethnically motivated attacks, executions, and widespread human rights violations.

The UN Human Rights Office says it has received “alarming” accounts of killings and abuses in both El Fasher and Bara, North Kordofan. “The risk of further large-scale, ethnically motivated violations and atrocities is mounting by the day,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

The UN cited videos showing unarmed men shot or killed while being accused of supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces. Women and girls remain at extreme risk of sexual violence, the agency warns, drawing on the RSF’s documented record of abuse in Darfur. Humanitarian conditions have deteriorated: the UN has recorded summary executions of civilians attempting to bring food into El Fasher amid soaring hunger and siege-driven scarcity. Türk urged urgent protection for civilians and pressured countries with influence to intervene diplomatically.

Diplomatic condemnation is growing across the globe. The United Kingdom denounced the RSF’s “horrifying and devastating” impact on civilians and described the humanitarian situation as “catastrophic,” stressing that RSF commanders will be held accountable

Kuwait condemned the attacks on unarmed civilians as a “grave breach” of international law and called for full adherence to the Jeddah Declaration and renewed political dialogue. Turkey expressed “deep concern” and “condemned the atrocities,” pressing for an immediate end to attacks and safe passage for civilians and humanitarian aid. Qatar described violations in the city as “horrific,” urging RSF to honor humanitarian law and reaffirming support for Sudan’s unity and sovereignty.

The African Union warned of “war crimes and ethnically targeted killings,” demanding the opening of humanitarian corridors and reiterating that there can be no military solution to Sudan’s crisis. Saudi Arabia also voiced strong condemnation of “grave humanitarian violations” by the RSF, calling for an urgent ceasefire and “rejecting any foreign interference that could prolong the conflict.” Canada’s minster of foreign affairs Anita Anand said “Canada is horrified” by reports of mass killings and reaffirmed millions in ongoing aid for humanitarian relief, peace, and stabilization efforts.

On Monday, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces seized full control of El Fasher, the last major city in Sudan’s Darfur region that had remained under army control. The takeover has left hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped, with communication lines severely disrupted. International concern is mounting as humanitarian groups and foreign governments warn the RSF leadership and urge the militia to respect human rights and ensure the protection of civilians amid reports of widespread abuses.

We have continued coverage on the situation in El Fasher. Read some of our previous reporting here:

1. US lawmakers urge terror designation for Sudan’s RSF following reported El Fasher Atrocities

2. UN, Aid agencies sound alarm as RSF accused of Ethnic killings and looting in El Fasher

3. El-Fasher: a city abandoned to horror

4. RSF claims capture of Sudanese army headquarters in El-Fasher