“The Mission finds that serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, amounting to international crimes, were committed by the Rapid Support Forces in and around El-Fasher during the siege and following the takeover of the city. While individual acts constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, their consolidation, scale, systematic nature, and cumulative effects may indicate a path to genocide, when the necessary intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national ethnical, racial or religious group (‘dolus specialis’) is found” (…) “In the case of The Prosecutor v. Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir, the International Criminal Court held that the Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa constitute such distinct characteristics and hence are protected ethnic groups within the meaning of Article 6 of the Rome Statute concerning the crime of genocide. The Court found these groups to be stable and identifiable, and perceived as such by both perpetrators and victims (‘self-identification’), which it considered the decisive criterion for determining the existence of a protected group for the purposes of genocide” (Report of the independent international fact-finding mission for the Sudan – Sudan: Hallmarks of Genocide in El-Fasher, 17.02.2026).
The ones that read the recent United Nations Experts reports on the Hallmarks of Genocide in El-Fasher, which was what they did last year or mere months ago besieged on strategic city during the besieging of El-Fasher. That story has to be told and the report is compelling of the tragedy and human rights violations, which are graded to a genocide and war-crimes. That matters and it’s done in the middle of a war. They did this for a reason and to signal to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) what they can do and what they are willing to do.
However, for me… the Janjaweed or the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was the arm of the violent and brutal regime of former President Omar Al-Bashir. They were used for lethal violence and killings in Darfur region. That is what it is known for and this is why there are several cases pending in the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is implicating them. So, we know that RSF and Janjaweed can do this. Now they are just supported by the United Arab Emirates and others to support their efforts during this war. The RSF has outside support, which gives them leverage and the ability to continue the warfare.
Here is the pieces of the puzzles that shows that is nothing new, but just another city outside of the Darfur region for Janjaweed/RSF.
Just read this part from the ICC on the context for cases in regard to Darfur….
“The ICC investigations regarding Darfur focus on allegations of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur, Sudan, since 1 July 2002. The UNSC determined that “the situation in Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security”, and referred this situation to the ICC in March 2005, taking note of the report of the International Commission of Inquiry on violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in Darfur (S/2005/60). The UN Secretary-General established the Commission “to investigate reports of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in Darfur by all parties, to determine also whether or not acts of genocide have occurred, and to identify the perpetrators of such violations with a view to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.” The Commission took as a starting point two facts: “First, according to United Nations estimates there are 1.65 million internally displaced persons in Darfur, and more than 200,000 refugees from Darfur in neighbouring Chad. Secondly, there has been large-scale destruction of villages throughout the three States of Darfur.” The ICC investigation, which opened in June 2005, has produced several cases with suspects ranging from Sudanese Government officials, Militia/Janjaweed leaders, and leaders of the Resistance Front, and has involved charges that include the following crimes: genocide: genocide by killing; genocide by causing serious bodily or mental harm; and genocide by deliberately inflicting on each target group conditions of life calculated to bring about the group’s physical destruction; war crimes: murder; attacks against the civilian population; destruction of property; rape; pillaging; and outrage upon personal dignity; violence to life and person; intentionally directing attacks against personnel, installations, material, units or vehicles involved in a peacekeeping mission; and crimes against humanity: murder; persecution; forcible transfer of population; rape; inhumane acts; imprisonment or severe deprivation of liberty; torture; extermination; and torture. The situation in Darfur was the first to be referred to the ICC by the United Nations Security Council, and the first ICC investigation on the territory of a non-State Party to the Rome Statute. It was the first ICC investigation dealing with allegations of the crime of genocide” (International Criminal Court – ‘Darfur, Sudan – Situation in Darfur, Sudan, ICC-02/05).
So, with that in mind. The report of El-Fasher is just showing that the militia or the Janjaweed haven’t changed and their usage of retribution against innocent civilians haven’t changed either. It is the same evil leadership and their decisions to destroy and deliberate degenerate a whole society in their mind games of taking total control. That’s how the Janjaweed/RSF takes over and show they have absolute power. It is vicious and sinister.
No one should look away, but instead amplify our voices. Because the leaders of RSF and TASIS needs to be known. They need to be held accountable and be remembered for these actions. That’s what is needed, but don’t expect Gen. Hemeti to be touched, as his travelling around East Africa to allies and getting good publicity, as the UN Expert Report is discussed. So, the reality should hit home, but I guess it is not. That’s why something got to give… and we can just wonder when. Peace.
MinBane 