The United Nations will dispatch an independent fact-finding mission to investigate reported mass killings in the Sudanese city of el-Fasher. UN human rights chief Volker Turk condemned international inaction during the civil war, urging a stand against atrocities. He issued a stark warning to those profiting from the conflict, which has killed over 150,000 people and displaced approximately 12 million.
El-Fasher, the last Darfur city held by the army, was recently captured by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces following an 18-month siege. The RSF denies accusations that it targets non-Arab groups. A UN mission member, Mona Rishmawi, stated that the current scale of suffering in Darfur surpasses the genocide committed two decades ago by the Janjaweed militia, from which the RSF originated. She described devastating mass killings, rape, and torture against a backdrop of siege and starvation.
International responses include a G7 statement condemning the violence and a US call to halt weapons supplies to the RSF. The United Arab Emirates, a member of the diplomatic Quad group, denied supporting the RSF and instead accused the Sudanese army of using starvation tactics. Evidence analyzed by various groups indicates a flow of weapons from multiple nations into the conflict, often through Chad, despite a longstanding UN arms embargo on Darfur. All parties involved deny the allegations of supplying arms.
El-Fasher, the last Darfur city held by the army, was recently captured by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces following an 18-month siege. The RSF denies accusations that it targets non-Arab groups. A UN mission member, Mona Rishmawi, stated that the current scale of suffering in Darfur surpasses the genocide committed two decades ago by the Janjaweed militia, from which the RSF originated. She described devastating mass killings, rape, and torture against a backdrop of siege and starvation.
International responses include a G7 statement condemning the violence and a US call to halt weapons supplies to the RSF. The United Arab Emirates, a member of the diplomatic Quad group, denied supporting the RSF and instead accused the Sudanese army of using starvation tactics. Evidence analyzed by various groups indicates a flow of weapons from multiple nations into the conflict, often through Chad, despite a longstanding UN arms embargo on Darfur. All parties involved deny the allegations of supplying arms.
