The United Nations Human Rights Office has reported alarming accounts of summary executions and other grave violations committed by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) amid their recent territorial gains in El Fasher, North Darfur, and Bara city, North Kordofan.
According to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, RSF fighters have seized significant parts of El Fasher, including the army’s 6th Infantry Division, raising fears of escalating large-scale, ethnically motivated violence.
“The risk of further atrocities in El Fasher is mounting by the day,” Türk said. “Urgent action is needed to protect civilians and allow safe passage for those seeking safety.”
The UN has received reports of civilians being executed while trying to flee, including indications of ethnic targeting, and of attacks on individuals no longer participating in hostilities. Disturbing video evidence shows dozens of unarmed men being shot or lying dead under RSF custody.
Hundreds of people, including journalists, have reportedly been detained during attempts to escape. Given the historical context of North Darfur, the UN warns of a high risk of sexual violence against women and girls. Heavy artillery shelling from October 22–26 has also reportedly killed numerous civilians, including local humanitarian volunteers, though accurate casualty numbers remain difficult to ascertain due to communication blackouts and mass displacement.
The humanitarian crisis has been compounded by food shortages and soaring prices. Reports indicate that five men were summarily executed for attempting to bring food supplies into El Fasher, which has been under RSF siege for 18 months.
Similar violations have been reported in Bara city, North Kordofan, following its capture by RSF forces on October 25. Dozens of civilians were allegedly killed after being accused of supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces.
Türk stressed that the RSF must immediately take concrete steps to prevent further abuses, including ethnically motivated violence and reprisals, and to uphold obligations under international humanitarian law, including ensuring the delivery of essential supplies and humanitarian assistance.
He further emphasized that international law strictly prohibits violence against individuals no longer participating in hostilities and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
Türk called on UN member states with influence over the conflict to act decisively to prevent large-scale atrocities and ensure accountability for violations of human rights and humanitarian law, warning that failure to do so risks perpetuating cycles of violence.
