KHARTOUM, SUDAN —Sudan’s Foreign Ministry on Friday urged the international community to launch a comprehensive investigation into alleged war crimes committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The appeal comes amid a surge in violence across Darfur and parts of Khartoum, where reports of mass killings, sexual violence, and forced displacement have multiplied in recent weeks.

In a formal statement, the Sudanese government called on the United Nations Security Council and the African Union to impose sanctions on RSF leaders accused of orchestrating atrocities. “The world cannot remain silent as civilians are massacred and entire towns are wiped out,” the ministry said, emphasizing that the RSF’s actions constitute crimes against humanity under international law.

Escalating Violence in Darfur

Witnesses from El Geneina and Nyala, two major cities in Darfur, reported widespread attacks on residential areas by RSF-aligned militias. Satellite imagery released by independent monitors showed large sections of villages burned to the ground, suggesting deliberate targeting of non-combatants.

Humanitarian organizations operating in Sudan said thousands of civilians have fled toward Chad and South Sudan, creating what the UN describes as one of the fastest-growing displacement crises in the world. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that nearly 8 million people have been displaced since the conflict erupted in April 2023.

RSF Denial and Government Accusations

The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, has denied responsibility for civilian casualties, claiming its forces are fighting to “restore democracy and stability.” The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), however, accused the RSF of pursuing a campaign of ethnic cleansing and systematic looting.

Government spokesperson Hussein Awad said the army remains committed to protecting civilians but faces challenges due to the RSF’s guerrilla-style warfare. “They hide among the population and use residential zones as cover, which makes operations extremely complex,” Awad stated during a press briefing in Khartoum.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

As the conflict intensifies, humanitarian access to affected areas remains severely restricted. Aid convoys have been blocked or looted, and dozens of medical facilities have shut down due to attacks and supply shortages.

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed outbreaks of cholera and measles in several displaced persons camps in western Sudan, warning that the country’s health system is nearing total collapse. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has appealed for $1.5 billion in urgent funding to address what it calls “a humanitarian catastrophe of historic proportions.”

Regional and Global Reactions

The African Union has called an emergency session to discuss the escalating RSF war crimes and explore options for a peacekeeping mission. Meanwhile, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have condemned the violence, with Washington hinting at additional sanctions against RSF commanders.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “deeply disturbed” by reports of mass graves discovered in West Darfur and called for accountability for all perpetrators. “Impunity cannot be allowed to define Sudan’s future,” he said in a statement released in New York.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia, two regional powers with ties to Sudan’s military, have urged restraint and pressed for renewed ceasefire talks under the auspices of the Jeddah Agreement. However, diplomatic efforts remain stalled as both sides continue to seek military advantage.

Calls for Justice and Accountability

Legal experts say Sudan’s referral to international institutions could pave the way for charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has previously issued warrants for figures involved in the Darfur conflict of the 2000s.

“The documentation of RSF war crimes could form the foundation for future prosecutions,” said Dr. Amira Abdel Rahman, a Sudanese human rights lawyer. “Without justice, there can be no sustainable peace in Sudan.”

Sudan’s transitional government insists that justice mechanisms must be both international and locally driven, ensuring that victims’ voices are central to the process. Officials are also proposing a hybrid tribunal under African Union supervision to expedite accountability.

The Road Ahead for Sudan

Despite international condemnation, fighting continues to spread to new regions, including Kordofan and Kassala. Analysts warn that Sudan is on the brink of state collapse unless a negotiated settlement is reached soon.

The persistent RSF war crimes allegations have not only damaged Sudan’s global standing but also deepened internal divisions, with many civilians caught between warring factions. Aid groups fear that as global attention shifts elsewhere, Sudan’s humanitarian and moral crisis could fade from the headlines, leaving millions without protection or justice.

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