This article discusses sensitive topics, including references to rape and sexual assault.

The United Nations’ Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan has declared that the siege and takeover of Al-Fasher by a paramilitary faction exhibit “the hallmarks of genocide.”

The investigation revealed that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took control of the Darfur city in October, resulting in “three days of absolute horror.” The mission emphasized the need for accountability for those involved.

The mission urgently called for civilian protection, stating it is more critical than ever in the neighboring Kordofan region, which has become a hotspot for conflict following the RSF’s capture of Al-Fasher. The operation was marked by ethnic massacres, sexual assaults, and unlawful detentions.

Mohamed Chande Othman, the mission’s chairman, stated, “The scale, coordination, and public backing of the operation by senior RSF leaders indicate that the atrocities committed in and around Al-Fasher were not random acts of war.”

He further explained, “They were part of a carefully planned and organized operation that embodies the defining traits of genocide.”

Since April 2023, the conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary RSF has killed tens of thousands and forced 11 million people to flee their homes.

It has triggered what the UN says is one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

The UN Human Rights Council established the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan in October 2023 to start gathering evidence of violations.

Its investigation into the takeover of Al-Fasher, following an 18-month siege, concluded that thousands of people, particularly from the Zaghawa ethnic group, “were killed, raped or disappeared”.

The Zaghawa is one of the area’s largest non-Arab ethnic groups.

Executions and sexual violence

The mission interviewed 320 witnesses and victims from Al-Fasher and the surrounding areas, including in investigative visits to Chad and South Sudan.

It authenticated, verified and corroborated 25 videos.

Survivors spoke of widespread killings, including indiscriminate shootings and mass executions at exit points.

They described seeing roads filled with the bodies of men, women and children, the mission said.

The report also detailed detention, torture, humiliation, extortion, ransom and disappearances.

Widespread sexual violence targeted women and girls from non-Arab communities, particularly the Zaghawa.

“Women and girls ranging from seven to 70 years old, including pregnant women, were subjected to rape.”

Many survivors reported being raped in front of their relatives, the report said, with sexual violence frequently accompanied by extreme physical brutality.

“In one case, a 12-year-old girl was raped by three RSF fighters in front of her mother, shortly after her father had been killed while trying to protect her. The girl later died from her injuries,” it said.

Rape was often committed in locations where mass killings had taken place, including at El-Saudi Hospital and at Al-Fasher University.

“Witnesses recounted the RSF violently and publicly gang-raping at least 19 women in rooms filled with corpses, including the remains of their own husbands,” the report said.

Report alleges ‘genocidal intent’

Concluding the RSF had acted “with genocidal intent”, the mission found “at least three underlying acts of genocide were committed”.

These included killing members of a protected ethnic group and causing serious bodily or mental harm.

“The RSF acted with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the Zaghawa and Fur communities in Al-Fasher. These are the hallmarks of genocide,” investigator Mona Rishmawi said.

The mission said such levels of atrocity had been reached because the perpetrators acted with impunity.

Reacting to the report at the UN Security Council on Thursday, UN under secretary general Rosemary DiCarlo said: “Strong action by the Security Council is more important than ever.”

Chairing the meeting, UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: “There’s page after page of the most distressing accounts imaginable. It is horrific.”

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

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