UN Rights Chief Warns Atrocities Likely to Continue in El Fasher

People who have fled El Fasher arrive in Tawila in North Darfur, Sudan.

“Today, traumatised civilians are still trapped inside El Fasher and are being prevented from leaving,” said UN human rights chief Volker Türk in a statement released on Friday.

“I fear that abominable atrocities such as summary executions, rape, and ethnically motivated violence are continuing within the city.”

The statement comes amid mounting reports from UN human rights monitors and other experts of widespread violence and war crimes following the capture of El Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia on 23 October. The RSF has been battling its former allies – the military government in Khartoum – for control of Sudan for over two years.

Violence continues even for those who have managed to flee the city, as exit routes have become scenes of “unimaginable cruelty,” Mr. Türk added.

No Sign of De-escalation

The High Commissioner said that since El Fasher fell, civilian casualties, destruction, and mass displacement have been mounting.

He warned that developments on the ground indicate “clear preparations for intensified hostilities, with everything that implies for its long-suffering people.”

In an interview on Thursday, UN Special Adviser on genocide prevention Chaloka Beyani highlighted allegations of war crimes in El Fasher.

“We see massive violations of international human rights law, direct attacks on civilians, non-compliance with international humanitarian law, and the attacks are largely on civilians,” he said.

On Friday, UN independent experts also expressed concern over the humanitarian situation, citing “sadistic levels” of sexual violence and abuse.

“We are appalled by credible reports of ethnically targeted summary executions of civilians in El Fasher by the RSF, which are prohibited under international law and constitute war crimes and may also amount to crimes against humanity,” they said. “They must cease immediately, and prompt independent investigations are critical.”

Reported Ceasefire Agreement

The RSF reportedly agreed to a ceasefire on Thursday, proposed by the United States and Arab countries. However, the national army has not signed on, and attacks continue, including explosions around government-held Khartoum.

Meanwhile, UN agencies continue to push for an end to hostilities.

“The Security Council’s arms embargo is clear: the provision of continuing military support to sustain parties committing serious violations must stop,” said Mr. Türk.

He reiterated the urgent need for an “immediate end to the violence both in Darfur and Kordofan” and called for “bold and urgent action by the international community.”