Mass killings probe in Sudan will hold culprits to account, vows UN

November 14, 2025

The UN Human Rights Council has unanimously approved an independent investigation into mass killings in el-Fasher, Sudan, where the Rapid Support Forces captured the city last month after an 18-month siege. The two-year civil war has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and displaced approximately 12 million people, with current atrocities in Darfur described as worse than the genocide that occurred in the same region two decades ago. While the investigation aims to identify perpetrators for potential prosecution at the International Criminal Court, critics note the mandate fails to address foreign countries allegedly fueling the conflict through weapons supplies.

Who is affected

Over 150,000 people killed in Sudan's civil war
Approximately 12 million people forced from their homes
Residents of el-Fasher, particularly non-Arab groups allegedly targeted by the RSF
Hundreds of thousands of people in refugee camps across Darfur
Civilians subjected to mass killings, rape, torture, disappearances, siege, and starvation
The Sudanese army and its allies
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group

What action is being taken

The UN Human Rights Council is launching a fresh, independent investigation into mass killings in el-Fasher
Researchers are analyzing digital evidence (footage and photos of atrocities) circulated online
The "Quad" countries (US, UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia) are working toward ending the crisis
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is demanding international action to halt weapons supply to the RSF
The United Nations is sustaining humanitarian work in Sudan (though struggling with funding)

Why it matters

This represents the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with suffering in Darfur now greater than the genocide that occurred in the same region 20 years ago. The conflict has expanded from village attacks to targeting entire cities and refugee camps housing hundreds of thousands of people. The international community's failure to act has allowed the violence to escalate, with UN human rights chief Volker Türk condemning "too much pretence and performance, and too little action." The investigation's findings could lead to accountability through the International Criminal Court, though concerns exist about inadequate funding and the mandate's failure to address foreign countries sponsoring the conflict through weapons supplies.

What's next

The Quad bloc has proposed a three-month humanitarian truce, followed by a permanent ceasefire and a nine-month transition to civilian rule
Sudan's army will consider the truce proposal (despite objecting to UAE's presence in the Quad)
The investigation's findings could be shared with the International Criminal Court for potential prosecution of those who ordered and carried out the massacre

Read full article from source: BBC