ICC says war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in El Fasher

The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor said there are reasonable grounds to believe “war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed” in El Fasher, Darfur, following its capture by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in late October 2025, according to a new report submitted to the UN Security Council.

The ICC said it had received extensive evidence of killings, sexual violence, and the targeting of civilians during and after the RSF takeover of the city, which followed a siege lasting more than 500 days

“Following the takeover of El Fasher by the RSF, the Office has received and analysed numerous reports of allegations of the commission of systematic and widespread crimes,” the prosecutor said

According to the report, evidence reviewed by investigators includes graphic videos, satellite imagery and witness accounts indicating summary executions, detention and mistreatment of civilians, and killings of people from non-Arab ethnic groups. Some material showed perpetrators “celebrating direct executions” and desecrating bodies, the prosecutor said

The ICC said satellite imagery also suggested “mass killing events and attempts to conceal crimes through the establishment of mass graves” around El Fasher

Based on its initial assessment, the prosecutor concluded that “both crimes against humanity and war crimes have been committed in El Fasher” and said efforts were underway to identify individual perpetrators and establish command responsibility

The report said access to victims remains extremely limited after large-scale displacement from the city. The International Organization for Migration estimates more than 107,000 people were displaced from North Darfur between late October and early December 2025, many of them previously displaced multiple times

“The tragedy that unfolded during the 500-day siege of El Fasher was entirely man-made,” the prosecutor said, adding that civilians “continue to bear the brunt of the ongoing conflict”

The ICC criticised the RSF for failing to cooperate with its investigation, saying repeated requests for information had gone unanswered despite earlier promises of cooperation

The prosecutor urged states and organisations to urgently share satellite imagery, intelligence and witness information related to El Fasher, warning that impunity would “fuel further cycles of violence, instability and suffering” in Darfur.

When the Rapid Support Forces seized control of El Fasher, accounts of widespread violence began to surface almost immediately. Eyewitness testimonies and humanitarian organizations reported incidents of mass killings and summary executions, painting a grim picture of the situation on the ground. These allegations were further supported by satellite imagery, which appeared to show destruction in residential areas and evidence of large-scale attacks. The reports have raised alarm among international observers, who fear that the events in El Fasher may constitute serious violations of human rights and international law.

Alongside these accounts of violence, there have been numerous reports of civilian casualties and suffering. Victims of the conflict include men, women, and children who were caught in the crossfire or deliberately targeted. Aid groups have documented harrowing stories of families torn apart, with survivors struggling to find safety amid the chaos. The humanitarian toll has been compounded by the destruction of infrastructure, leaving many without access to food, water, or medical care.

The violence has also triggered a massive wave of displacement, forcing thousands to flee their homes in search of refuge. Camps and temporary shelters in surrounding areas have become overcrowded, with displaced populations facing dire shortages of basic necessities. The sudden influx of people has strained already limited resources, creating a humanitarian emergency that aid agencies are struggling to address.

Despite the mounting evidence, the RSF has consistently denied any involvement in the atrocities reported in El Fasher. The group has publicly stated its willingness to conduct investigations into the allegations, but so far these promises have not produced any meaningful outcomes. Critics argue that such declarations are intended to deflect international pressure rather than deliver justice.