UN Security Council Condemns RSF Atrocities in Sudan’s El Fasher

UN Security Council Condemns RSF Atrocities in Sudan’s El Fasher
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Diplomats and senior United Nations officials have strongly denounced mass killings allegedly committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, after the Sudanese city “descended into an even darker hell” following the group’s recent takeover, The Guardian reported. An emergency UN Security Council session was convened in New York at the request of the United Kingdom, amid widespread reports of ethnically targeted violence.

Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, described the situation as “simply horrifying,” noting credible evidence of mass executions and other grave human rights abuses. She said communication lines had been severed, civilians were trapped without safe passage, and external actors continued to supply weapons and fighters to Sudan.

Tom Fletcher, the UN’s humanitarian chief, said El Fasher had become the scene of “catastrophic” suffering, citing reports that nearly 500 people were killed at the Saudi Maternity Hospital and that thousands were fleeing toward Tawila, where women and children faced extortion and violence.

In a statement, the Security Council condemned the atrocities, including summary executions and arbitrary detentions. The meeting placed diplomatic pressure on the United Arab Emirates, identified as the RSF’s main external backer, though few nations explicitly called the violence genocide.

In London, UK Minister Stephen Doughty described the RSF’s actions as “horrifying,” while opposition politicians urged a suspension of British arms sales to the UAE. Documents seen by the UN reportedly show RSF forces using British-made military equipment, though the UK government denied evidence of direct weapons transfers.

Human rights advocates, including Protection Approaches and Human Rights Watch, demanded tougher international measures, including sanctions on the UAE and urgent global action to protect civilians. The Quad group—comprising the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE—has proposed a peace roadmap, but it remains unimplemented.