Rapid Support Forces commit crimes against humanity in Sudan (UN investigation mission)

 A team of UN investigators said Friday that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed crimes against humanity during the war in Sudan, accusing both sides of war crimes.

The UN Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan reported that it had found that the RSF "committed crimes against humanity, in particular murder, torture, forced displacement, persecution on ethnic grounds, and other inhumane acts."

The mission also found evidence of war crimes committed by both sides in the conflict between the regular army and the RSF, which has killed thousands since it erupted in April 2023.

"Our findings leave no room for doubt: civilians are paying the highest price in this war," said Mohamed Chande Osman, head of the mission, in a statement.

"Both sides have deliberately targeted civilians through attacks, arbitrary executions, arbitrary arrests, torture, and inhumane treatment in detention centers, including denial of food, health services, and medical care," he said.

"These are not accidental tragedies, but rather deliberate strategies that amount to war crimes," he continued.

While investigators accused both sides of responsibility for the brutal conflict, they particularly highlighted the brutality of the Rapid Support Forces in El Fasher, which they have besieged since May 2024.

The statement stated that "During the siege of El Fasher and the surrounding areas, the Rapid Support Forces committed countless crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, enslavement, rape, sexual slavery, and sexual violence," as well as "forced displacement and persecution on ethnic, gender, and political grounds."

It added that "the Rapid Support Forces and their allies used starvation as a tool of war and deprived civilians of the most basic necessities for their survival, including food, medicine, and relief supplies—which may amount to a crime against humanity with the intent to commit genocide."

The fact-finding mission called for international action to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice.

"Accountability is not optional, but rather a legal and moral imperative to protect civilians and prevent further atrocities," said Mona Rishmawi, a member of the mission, in her statement.