War broke out in Sudan in April 2023 between the regular army and the powerful Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, raising fears of spreading conflict to Darfur, a region marked by deep-rooted ethnic tensions. The RSF’s advances in Darfur have been linked to atrocities, leading to concerns of potential genocide. These atrocities echo the brutal history of former President Omar al-Bashir’s regime, which targeted non-Arab communities in Darfur, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths, scorched earth policies, and systematic sexual violence.
Massacre in Geneina
The RSF and allied militias carried out a campaign of ethnic cleansing in the Massalit-majority town of Geneina in West Darfur, resulting in widespread killings, looting, and destruction. Despite international warnings, violence escalated, with estimates of 10,000-15,000 people killed. Other non-Arab towns in Darfur have also faced similar assaults, with reports suggesting genocide against multiple non-Arab communities.
Scorched earth
Similar attacks have occurred in various non-Arab majority towns in Western Darfur, emphasizing the RSF’s brutality against civilians. The international community has raised concerns about the situation, with investigations into potential genocide ongoing.
As tensions escalate in North Darfur, the threat of further violence looms large, highlighting the urgent need for civilian protection missions to prevent future atrocities. Stay informed with our weekly newsletter for more English-language coverage from EL PAÍS USA Edition.