Amnesty Accuses Sudan’s RSF of Crimes Against Humanity in El-Fasher

Published: 1 July 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online

A new report from human rights organisation Amnesty International has accused Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing crimes against humanity during ongoing fighting in and around the city of El-Fasher, intensifying international concern over one of Africa’s most devastating conflicts.

The allegations add to growing evidence of widespread abuses committed during Sudan’s civil war, which has displaced millions of people, devastated communities and created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.

Amnesty’s findings focus on events in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, where fierce fighting has continued despite repeated international calls for restraint and civilian protection.

The organisation alleges that RSF fighters and allied groups carried out serious violations against civilians, including killings, persecution and attacks targeting communities based on ethnic identity.

The RSF has previously denied accusations of systematic abuses and has argued that its operations are directed against military opponents rather than civilians.

However, rights groups and international observers have repeatedly raised concerns about the conduct of armed actors throughout the conflict.

El-Fasher occupies a strategically important position in Sudan’s western Darfur region and has become one of the conflict’s most fiercely contested locations.

The city serves as a major administrative, economic and humanitarian hub.

Control of El-Fasher is viewed as critical by both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF.

As fighting intensified, thousands of civilians found themselves trapped between opposing forces.

Aid organisations have warned that continued violence threatens to worsen already severe shortages of food, medicine and essential services.

Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly described conditions in the region as catastrophic.

Many residents have been forced to flee their homes, while those remaining often face insecurity, limited access to healthcare and deteriorating living conditions.

According to Amnesty International, evidence gathered through interviews, witness testimony and other documentation suggests that serious abuses were committed during military operations in and around El-Fasher.

The organisation alleges that attacks targeted civilian populations and may constitute crimes against humanity under international law.

Crimes against humanity refer to certain acts committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against civilians.

Such offences can include murder, persecution, forced displacement and other serious violations.

International legal experts note that determining whether crimes against humanity have occurred requires extensive investigation and evidence collection.

Amnesty has called for independent inquiries into the allegations and urged the international community to increase pressure on all parties involved in the conflict.

The organisation argues that accountability will be essential if long-term peace and stability are to be achieved.

Sudan’s current war began following a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, two institutions that had previously cooperated after the overthrow of former President Omar al-Bashir.

Political tensions escalated into open conflict, triggering violence across multiple regions of the country.

Darfur has been particularly affected due to its long history of ethnic tensions, armed conflict and humanitarian crises.

The region was the site of major violence in the early 2000s, attracting international attention and leading to allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Many observers fear that the current fighting risks reviving some of the divisions and patterns of violence that characterised earlier conflicts.

The war has produced enormous humanitarian consequences.

Millions of people have been displaced both within Sudan and across neighbouring countries.

Refugee camps and temporary settlements have struggled to accommodate growing numbers of people seeking safety.

Humanitarian agencies report that access to food, clean water and healthcare remains severely limited in many areas.

Aid deliveries are frequently disrupted by insecurity, damaged infrastructure and bureaucratic obstacles.

International organisations warn that famine risks continue to rise in some regions as conflict interferes with agricultural production and supply chains.

Children are among the most vulnerable victims of the crisis.

Many have been displaced, separated from family members or deprived of access to education and healthcare.

Human rights groups have repeatedly called for stronger protections for civilians and humanitarian workers.

The latest allegations have renewed calls for international action.

Human rights organisations argue that independent investigations are necessary to establish the facts and ensure accountability for any crimes committed during the conflict.

Legal experts note that documenting abuses is often difficult during active warfare, particularly in areas where access is restricted.

Nevertheless, evidence collection remains important for future judicial processes and historical records.

Several governments and international institutions have expressed concern about reports of abuses by multiple parties involved in the conflict.

Diplomatic efforts aimed at securing ceasefires and political negotiations have so far achieved limited success.

The international community continues to monitor developments closely.

The United Nations, African Union and various regional organisations have repeatedly urged all sides to protect civilians and allow humanitarian access.

Aid agencies have stressed that immediate measures are needed to prevent further loss of life.

Many observers believe a lasting solution will require both political negotiations and meaningful accountability mechanisms.

Without those elements, experts warn that cycles of violence could continue.

As fighting persists in El-Fasher and other parts of Sudan, civilians remain caught in a conflict with no clear end in sight.

The allegations raised by Amnesty International have added urgency to calls for greater international engagement and stronger protection for vulnerable communities.

Whether the claims ultimately lead to formal investigations or legal action remains uncertain.

What is clear is that Sudan’s conflict continues to inflict immense suffering on millions of people and poses a growing challenge for humanitarian organisations attempting to respond.

For residents of El-Fasher, the priority remains survival.

For the international community, the latest accusations serve as another reminder of the human cost of a war that shows little sign of ending.

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