UN details ‘horrendous’ accounts of mass killings, rapes by RSF in El Fasher
November 1, 2025 (GENEVA) – The UN Human Rights Council has received “horrendous accounts” of summary executions, mass killings, and rapes committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during and after the fall of El Fasher, North Darfur, according to a statement released Saturday.
Since the RSF’s major incursion into the city on October 23, the UN office has gathered testimonies from terrified survivors who fled the violence, as well as shocking videos and images depicting gross violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.
The UN report comes amid widespread circulation of videos documenting atrocities. On Oct. 30, RSF-affiliated platforms broadcast a video showing a man known as “Abolulu” being transported in handcuffs to Shala prison in El Fasher and placed in a cell.
Human rights activists, however, called the arrest pointless, citing what they described as a “culture of permissive killing” and the glorification of such individuals on social media.
Two days before his arrest, Abolulu was hosted on a platform belonging to a prominent media figure within the paramilitary group. He stated he had sworn to kill 2,000 people but, having forgotten the number of his victims, had decided to ‘start counting again.’
The UN statement echoed the scale of such violence. “We estimate the death toll of civilians and those placed hors de combat… could amount to hundreds,” the statement read.
Telecommunications in El Fasher remain cut, making it difficult to obtain direct information from the chaotic situation on the ground. However, survivors who reached Tawila, approximately 70 kilometres away, described a frightening 3- to 4-day walk to safety.
Attacks on hospitals, aid workers
The UN report detailed “distressing reports” of the killing of sick and wounded individuals inside Al-Saudi Maternity Hospital and other premises temporarily serving as medical centres. The Human Rights Council said these “extremely grave allegations raise urgent questions” about killings in places that should be safe havens.
Alarming reports of sexual violence have also emerged. Humanitarian partners reported that at least 25 women were gang-raped when RSF forces entered a shelter for displaced people near El Fasher University.
“Witnesses confirm RSF personnel selected women and girls and raped them at gunpoint, forcing the remaining displaced persons – around 100 families – to leave the location amid shooting and intimidation,” the UN stated.
Humanitarian workers have also been targeted. The UN documented the killing of at least two local humanitarian responders in El Fasher on October 27 and has recorded at least four separate incidents of assault against aid personnel. Three doctors are also confirmed to be detained by the RSF.
Violations in North Kordofan
The wave of alleged atrocities extends to the RSF’s capture of Bara in North Kordofan. The UN is investigating reports of serious violations there, including the alleged summary execution of five Red Crescent volunteers.
An estimated 50 civilians were killed in Bara on or around October 26. The UN noted that some died during hostilities, “while others were summarily executed on accusations of being supporters of the SAF.” The actual number of victims is believed to be higher.
The UN described the reports from El Fasher and Bara as potentially amounting to “numerous crimes under international law” and called for “independent, prompt, transparent and thorough investigations” to hold those responsible to account.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk repeated his call on states with influence over the warring parties “to act urgently to put an end to the violence, halt the flow of arms that are fuelling the violations… and ensure meaningful protection of civilians.”