Emerging evidence of systematic killings in the Sudanese city of el-Fasher have prompted human rights and aid activists to describe the civil war between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the military as a continuation of the Darfur genocide.
The fall of el-Fasher, in the Darfur region, following an 18-month RSF siege showcases the different layers of the country's conflict—it reverberates with both the dark past and the brutal present of the war.
The RSF originated from the Janjaweed, notorious for the mass slaughter of Darfuris from non-Arab populations in the early 2000s. Since an internal power struggle with the army erupted into violence in April 2023, the RSF has been accused of ethnic killings, a charge they continue to deny.
Recent allegations are supported by evidence provided by the RSF fighters themselves, including horrific videos of summary executions and expressions of glee over dead bodies.
Survivors have described the situation in el-Fasher as dire, detailing acts of violence, looting, and the shooting aimed indiscriminately at the public. Reports indicate that RSF soldiers have separated fleeing civilians, executing men at barriers.
Satellite images from Yale University suggest massacre sites, where clusters of bodies have been found. Researchers indicated that the RSF appears to be conducting a systematic ethnic cleansing of indigenous non-Arab communities through forced displacement and executions.
The situation features a clear ethnic dynamic, with local armed groups from the dominant Zaghawa tribe combating the RSF alongside the military. RSF sees Zaghawa civilians as legitimate targets.
Both the RSF and military are implicated in ethnically motivated attacks. Calls for international intervention are growing as aid groups highlight the predictability of the violence, reflecting a repeating pattern reminiscent of past genocides.
Despite RSF Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo's promises of an investigation into the current violations, skepticism persists due to unmet precedents. Activists warn that failure to act could lead to further bloodshed.
The international community has been urged to apply pressure on external supporters, namely the UAE, accused of enabling the RSF, while drawing critical comparisons to historical massacres that have prompted global action.
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