RSF siege of El Fasher in Sudan has ‘hallmarks of genocide’, UN mission finds

The Guardian - World NewsEN 4 min read 100% complete by Eromo Egbejule and agenciesFebruary 19, 2026 at 06:59 PM

AI Summary

medium article 4 min

A UN-mandated fact-finding mission reported that the Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) siege and capture of El Fasher, Sudan, in October 2023, bears "hallmarks of genocide" against the Zaghawa and Fur ethnic communities. The report details the 18-month occupation of the North Darfur capital, concluding the RSF and allied militias deliberately created conditions to destroy these groups. This report coincides with increased international condemnation of potential war crimes in Sudan, including recent drone strikes in the Kordofan region that killed dozens, including children. The RSF, backed by the UAE according to some reports, has been fighting the Sudanese army since April 2023, resulting in a humanitarian crisis with 11 million displaced and tens of thousands killed. The RSF originated from the Janjaweed militias, known for atrocities in Darfur in the early 2000s.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Canada 40% United Kingdom 40% European Union 40% Fur 50% Zaghawa 50% Kordofan ×250% Mohamed Chande Othman 60% North Darfur 60% Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo 60% El Fasher ×380% Rapid Support Forces ×790% Sudan ×590%

Keywords

sudan 100% rapid support forces 90% genocide 90% el fasher 80% humanitarian crisis 70% war crimes 70% displacement camp 60% ethnic cleansing 60% drone strikes 60% darfur 50%