The ongoing humanitarian crisis in El Fasher, North Darfur, has reached a harrowing new low as reports confirm the brutal killing of at least 53 civilians and injuries to more than 60 by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia between October 5 and 8. This staggering figure is likely an underestimate, as preliminary information suggests that the actual number of casualties could be even higher, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR).
The RSF, a militia that has been embroiled in a power struggle against its former military government allies since April 2023, shows an alarming indifference to the sanctity of civilian life. UN rights chief Volker Türk’s condemnation of the RSF’s “endless and wanton disregard for civilian life” is a statement that echoes the sentiments of countless advocates for social justice and human rights. His calls for the protection of civilians have fallen on deaf ears, as the RSF continues its relentless campaign of violence, which includes indiscriminate killings, injuries, and the displacement of innocent people. Attacks on civilian infrastructure—such as Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) shelters, hospitals, and mosques—demonstrate a flagrant violation of international law that demands immediate global accountability.
Among the tragic incidents reported, artillery and drone strikes in the Abu Shouk and Daraja Oula neighborhoods, as well as the Abu Shouk IDP camp, have led to the deaths of at least 46 civilians. Disturbingly, these assaults included an attack on the Saudi Hospital, the last functioning healthcare facility in North Darfur, during which 14 civilians were killed. The hospital had already been struggling to operate at reduced capacity, and this latest wave of violence has inflicted further devastating damage.
Moreover, reports of summary executions during RSF ground attacks paint a grim picture of the situation on the ground. At least seven civilians were executed in home-to-home searches, raising serious concerns about the potential ethnic motivations behind these killings, particularly targeting members of the Zaghawa community. Such actions are not mere aberrations; they are indicative of a broader systemic violence that has been allowed to persist unchecked.
The recent conviction of Ali Kushayb by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for 27 counts of war crimes serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such atrocities. Türk’s call for the RSF and all parties involved in the conflict to draw lessons from this ruling underscores the urgent need for accountability in a region that has long been plagued by impunity. The RSF’s lineage, tracing back to the notorious Janjaweed militias, only amplifies the necessity for a reckoning—a demand for justice that cannot be ignored.
As the High Commissioner for Human Rights emphasizes the imperative for UN Member States with influence to take immediate action, the international community must not stand idly by. The bloodshed in El Fasher and throughout Darfur is a clarion call for intervention, not only to protect civilians but to dismantle the structures of violence and oppression that facilitate such egregious human rights violations.
It is incumbent upon all of us—governments, civil society, and individuals—to raise our voices against this tide of brutality. The world cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of the people of Darfur. The moral obligation to act has never been more urgent. The fate of countless civilians hangs in the balance, and we must demand accountability and justice for those who have suffered far too long.
This article highlights the importance of LIVES IN DANGER.
