Amnesty International has released a damning report accusing Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and sexual violence against civilians. The UK government has called for an immediate UN Security Council meeting to address the escalating crisis, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy stating that “the international community must not stand idly by while atrocities unfold.” The report, based on months of interviews with survivors and witnesses, details a systematic campaign of violence in Darfur and Khartoum since the conflict erupted in April 2023.
RSF fighters, allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces, are alleged to have targeted ethnic groups, burned villages, and used rape as a weapon of war. Amnesty’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, condemned the “reckless disregard for human life,” and called for an arms embargo and targeted sanctions. The RSF has denied the allegations, accusing Amnesty of bias.
Meanwhile, the UK’s intervention places pressure on the UN to act, though divisions among permanent members – particularly Russia’s reluctance to condemn the RSF – remain a hurdle. For the people of Sudan, already grappling with a collapsing economy and mass displacement, the report is a stark reminder that justice remains distant.
