UN Announces Probe into Reported Mass Killings in Sudan's El-Fasher
An independent fact-finding mission has been established by the United Nations to investigate reported mass killings in el-Fasher, Sudan. The announcement was made by UN human rights chief Volker Türk at an emergency meeting in Geneva, where he called for international action regarding the conflict in Sudan. He also issued a warning to entities involved in sustaining the civil war, which has reportedly resulted in over 150,000 fatalities and approximately 12 million displaced individuals.
Investigation Scope and Context
The mission's mandate includes identifying perpetrators to ensure accountability. El-Fasher was captured by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group last month following an 18-month siege. The city represented the final stronghold of the Sudanese army and its allies in Darfur. The RSF has faced accusations of targeting non-Arab populations in Darfur, which the group denies. Digital evidence, including footage and photos circulated online, will be analyzed to identify those responsible.
Mona Rishmawi, a member of the UN's fact-finding mission on Sudan, stated that the current scale of suffering in Darfur surpasses that of the Janjaweed militia's actions 20 years prior. Rishmawi noted that contemporary attacks now target entire cities and large refugee camps, contrasting with previous attacks primarily on villages. Reported acts include mass killings, rape, torture, and disappearances, occurring after an 18-month siege and conditions of starvation.
International Response and Diplomacy
The G7 group released a joint statement condemning the escalating violence in Sudan and characterizing the conflict as "the world's largest humanitarian crisis."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during the G7 summit, urged international efforts to halt weapons supplies to the RSF and criticized nations involved in such support. The United States is part of the "Quad" group, alongside the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, which aims to resolve the crisis. This bloc recently proposed a three-month humanitarian truce, followed by a permanent ceasefire and a nine-month transition to civilian rule.
Accusations and Denials
Rubio's comments were interpreted as referring to alleged UAE support for the RSF. The UAE denied these allegations, simultaneously accusing the Sudanese army of employing "starvation tactics," indiscriminate bombardment, and the reported use of chemical weapons. The Sudanese army has previously denied these claims. The RSF also issued a denial of what it termed "biased statements" and accused the army of rejecting the proposed truce. The RSF agreed to the truce after securing el-Fasher. Sudan's army has expressed objections to the UAE's involvement in the Quad but indicated it would consider the truce proposal.
Fighting continues in el-Fasher, where a limited number of residents have managed to evacuate. Satellite imagery reportedly shows deceased individuals and blood-stained areas.
Weapons Flow and Allegations
Analyses by various experts, including Amnesty International, indicate that weapons manufactured in Serbia, Russia, China, Turkey, Yemen, and the UAE are being utilized in Sudan. A leaked UN experts' report suggests a common smuggling route via the UAE, through Chad, and into Darfur. The UAE is specifically accused of providing arms and support to the RSF, which is, in turn, accused of using the UAE as a market for illicit gold sales. Rubio also mentioned potential Iranian involvement, including money and weapons, to the Sudanese army. All involved parties deny these accusations.
The UK government recently faced scrutiny regarding allegations of British-made weapons potentially reaching the RSF. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper affirmed the UK's stringent controls on arms exports to prevent diversion. A UN arms embargo has been in place for Darfur since 2004, though it has not been expanded nationwide despite calls from human rights organizations.