Amnesty International has accused Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing during their campaign to capture El Fasher. In a report released on Wednesday, the human rights organisation detailed widespread abuses including murder, torture, rape, enslavement and sexual slavery, which it said were part of a systematic attack on civilians.
The RSF also deliberately targeted children during attacks in the North Darfur city, according to Amnesty. The paramilitary force seized El Fasher in October after an 18-month siege, with tens of thousands killed. A UN fact-finding mission in February described the takeover as bearing “hallmarks of genocide” against non-Arab communities.
Amnesty interviewed 247 people, analysed satellite imagery and video evidence, concluding that the RSF committed war crimes between mid-2024 and late 2025. It found the force frequently used derogatory language against non-Arab groups and committed persecution on ethnic grounds. The destruction of villages such as Abu Zerega, populated by non-Arab ethnicities, was consistent with ethnic cleansing.
The report named three RSF commanders responsible for serious violations of international law: Maj Gen Gedo Hamdan Ahmed Mohamed, Lt Col Abbas Khater Bakhit and commander Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris. Amnesty called for an immediate ceasefire and the urgent deployment of an international force to protect civilians, urging the international community to move beyond statements of concern.
