A United Nations fact-finding mission has issued grave accusations against Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), alleging that their recent actions in the city of el-Fasher constitute genocide. This marks a significant development as it is the closest the UN has come to formally declaring the RSF's actions in Darfur as genocidal in nature. According to the report compiled from more than 320 survivor interviews and verified visual evidence, the RSF coordinated and systematically carried out violent assaults during the siege of el-Fasher, a key city in the ongoing civil conflict in Sudan.

The report implicates high-ranking RSF officials, including leader Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (commonly known as Hemedti) and his spokesperson, who are said to have publicly celebrated the violent takeover of el-Fasher. The evidence presented points toward a well-orchestrated campaign of violence against civilians, raising alarms about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region. The UN's findings emphasize the urgent need for accountability, as the situation in Darfur continues to escalate amidst a backdrop of civil war.

In response to the report, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the horrific findings and announced intentions to present them to the UN Security Council. She called for urgent criminal investigations into the atrocities, enforcement of an arms embargo in the region, and increased international pressure for a ceasefire. This situation highlights not only the immediate humanitarian crisis but also the challenges the international community faces in addressing ongoing violence and potential genocide in Darfur, underlining the critical need for intervention and support for the affected populations.