Brief: Sudan is experiencing one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world, with widespread human rights violations, ethnic cleansing, and systematic atrocities committed primarily by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied militias. The international community’s response has been dangerously inadequate as millions of Sudanese face famine, displacement, and targeted violence. This statement documents the current situation and calls for urgent international action, highlighting how this crisis represents a catastrophic failure of the international system to protect civilians and uphold fundamental human rights. The situation has deteriorated dramatically since April 2023, with escalating violence, systematic targeting of civilian populations, and complete breakdown of humanitarian access creating conditions that meet the threshold for genocide in multiple regions of the country.

Background

Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). What began as a power struggle has evolved into a campaign of ethnic cleansing and mass atrocities targeting civilian populations, particularly in the Darfur region. The RSF, originally formed from the Janjaweed militias responsible for atrocities in the early 2000s, has systematically committed war crimes and crimes against humanity with near-total impunity. This conflict represents a continuation of Sudan’s long history of violence and state-sponsored atrocities, with the RSF having evolved from the very militias that perpetrated the genocide in Darfur between 2003-2005. The current fighting has created a complex humanitarian emergency that has displaced over 8 million people, both internally and across borders, while systematically destroying civilian infrastructure and creating conditions of extreme deprivation.

Documented Human Rights Violations

Ethnic Cleansing and Mass Killings

The RSF has perpetrated widespread ethnic cleansing, particularly against the Masalit population in Darfur. Mass graves have been discovered across the country, with credible estimates suggesting tens of thousands of civilians have been killed. Satellite imagery and witness testimonies confirm systematic destruction of entire neighborhoods and villages, with RSF forces deliberately targeting non-Arab populations in a clear pattern of ethnic targeting. Human Rights Watch has documented systematic killings of civilians in cities like El Geneina, where RSF forces engaged in door-to-door executions of Masalit men and boys, while women and girls were systematically raped. The pattern of violence includes destruction of homes, looting of civilian property, and the forced displacement of entire communities, all elements that constitute ethnic cleansing under international law.

Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War

Sexual violence has been deployed systematically as a weapon of war by RSF forces. Women and girls are being targeted in mass rape campaigns, with reports of sexual slavery and forced pregnancies. This constitutes both war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law. Amnesty International has documented how RSF forces use rape as a deliberate tactic of terror and control, with survivors reporting being gang-raped in front of family members, held as sexual slaves for extended periods, and subjected to forced pregnancy. The systematic nature of these attacks, with clear command structures organizing and directing such violence, indicates that these are not isolated incidents but rather part of a coordinated strategy to terrorize and displace civilian populations, particularly in Darfur and Khartoum.

Forced Displacement and Siege Warfare

Over 8 million Sudanese have been displaced, with nearly 2 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries. RSF forces have surrounded civilian areas, cutting off access to food, water, and medical care. Humanitarian aid has been systematically blocked, creating famine conditions in besieged areas. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that displacement continues at alarming rates, with families fleeing multiple times as violence spreads. RSF forces have implemented siege tactics in cities like El Fasher and Port Sudan, preventing civilians from accessing basic necessities while continuing attacks on those attempting to flee. This deliberate starvation of civilian populations constitutes a war crime and crime against humanity, with children particularly vulnerable to malnutrition and preventable diseases in these besieged areas.

Targeting of Civilians and Civilian Infrastructure

Hospitals, schools, markets, and places of worship have been deliberately targeted and destroyed. The RSF has used siege tactics, preventing civilians from accessing basic necessities and deliberately starving populations into submission. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has documented over 70% of hospitals being out of service due to destruction, occupation, or lack of supplies, with medical personnel specifically targeted for attack. Save the Children reports that schools have been systematically destroyed, looted, or converted into military bases, depriving millions of children of education while increasing their vulnerability to recruitment by armed groups. The targeting of civilian infrastructure represents a clear violation of international humanitarian law, which protects civilian objects and prohibits attacks that would cause excessive civilian harm.

Humanitarian Catastrophe

Famine Conditions

The UN has declared famine conditions in parts of Sudan, with millions facing acute food insecurity. The deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid by RSF forces has created a man-made famine, with children and the elderly particularly vulnerable. The World Food Programme (WFP) reports that over 18 million people are facing acute food insecurity, with nearly 5 million in emergency levels requiring immediate humanitarian assistance. The situation has been exacerbated by the looting of food stores, destruction of agricultural infrastructure, and systematic obstruction of aid convoys by RSF forces, all of which are deliberate tactics of war that create famine conditions as a weapon of population control.

Healthcare Collapse

The healthcare system has been completely devastated, with over 70% of hospitals out of service due to destruction, occupation, or lack of supplies. Preventable diseases are spreading rapidly due to contaminated water and lack of medical care. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a health emergency, with outbreaks of cholera, measles, and meningitis spreading through displaced populations. Medical personnel have been targeted and killed, while hospitals have been bombed, looted, and occupied by armed forces. The complete breakdown of healthcare services has created a secondary humanitarian crisis where treatable injuries and illnesses become fatal, with women and children particularly vulnerable due to lack of maternal and pediatric care.

Education Catastrophe

Education has been completely disrupted, with millions of children out of school for over two years. Schools have been destroyed, occupied by armed groups, or used as shelters for displaced populations. UNICEF reports that over 19 million children and youth are out of school, representing the largest education crisis in Sudan’s history. This disruption has created a lost generation that will face long-term consequences for Sudan’s development, with children at increased risk of recruitment into armed groups, child labor, and early marriage. The systematic destruction of educational infrastructure represents a deliberate attack on Sudan’s future, with perpetrators understanding that educated populations are more likely to resist oppression and build democratic alternatives.

Water and Sanitation Crisis

Access to clean water has been severely compromised, with water infrastructure deliberately targeted. This has led to outbreaks of cholera, hepatitis, and other waterborne diseases, particularly affecting displaced populations in camps. The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Cluster reports that 60% of water systems are non-functional due to damage, lack of maintenance, or deliberate targeting by armed forces. The resulting waterborne disease outbreaks have created a public health emergency, with children under five particularly vulnerable to dehydration and death from preventable illnesses. The deliberate targeting of water infrastructure represents a violation of international humanitarian law and constitutes a war crime when used as a tactic of population control.

International Legal Framework and Accountability

Genocide Findings

The situation in Sudan, particularly in Darfur, meets the threshold for genocide as defined under the Genocide Convention. The ethnic targeting of Masalit and other populations, with intent to destroy in whole or in part, constitutes genocide. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued preliminary findings indicating that the situation in Darfur “plausibly constitutes” genocide, with clear evidence of intent to destroy specific ethnic groups. The systematic nature of the attacks, including mass killings, sexual violence, destruction of cultural heritage, and forced displacement, all indicate genocidal intent. The failure of the international community to recognize and act upon these findings represents a betrayal of the “never again” promise made after the Holocaust.

War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity

The systematic commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity by RSF forces is well-documented by international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Sudan. These organizations have documented widespread attacks on civilians, torture, rape, forced displacement, and destruction of civilian infrastructure, all of which constitute war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The systematic and widespread nature of these violations indicates that they are not isolated incidents but rather part of a state policy or organizational plan, which is the threshold for crimes against humanity. The international community has a clear legal obligation to investigate and prosecute these violations.

Command Responsibility

Senior RSF leaders, including Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (“Hemedti”), bear direct command responsibility for these atrocities. The international community must establish mechanisms to hold these individuals accountable. The UN Security Council has documented clear command structures within the RSF, with evidence that senior leaders have ordered, authorized, or failed to prevent widespread violations of international humanitarian law. Command responsibility is a well-established principle of international law, where military commanders can be held criminally liable for the crimes committed by their subordinates when they knew or should have known about the violations and failed to prevent them or punish the perpetrators. Establishing accountability for these leaders is essential for justice and for deterring future atrocities.

International Response and Failures

Inadequate Diplomatic Efforts

International diplomatic efforts have failed to stop the violence or secure meaningful humanitarian access. Peace negotiations have repeatedly broken down, with RSF forces continuing their offensive during supposed ceasefires. The African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) has documented how previous peace processes have been undermined by lack of implementation mechanisms and continued support for armed groups by external actors. The international community’s failure to apply meaningful pressure on the RSF to cease hostilities and allow humanitarian access represents a catastrophic failure of preventive diplomacy and protection of civilians. Diplomatic efforts have been hampered by competing geopolitical interests and a reluctance to confront the reality that this conflict requires more than just negotiation—it requires enforcement of international law.

Insufficient Humanitarian Funding

Humanitarian appeals remain severely underfunded, with less than 30% of required funds received. This has crippled the ability of aid organizations to respond effectively to the crisis. The UN Financial Tracking Service (FTS) reports that the 2026 Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan is only 28% funded, leaving critical gaps in food assistance, healthcare, and protection services. This funding crisis is not due to a lack of resources globally but rather to political will and prioritization of other conflicts. The underfunding of the Sudan crisis reflects a pattern of international neglect when victims are African and Muslim, with the international community failing to recognize the scale and urgency of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Sudan.

Arms Transfers and Support

Despite international arms embargoes, evidence suggests RSF forces continue to receive weapons and support, enabling ongoing atrocities. The international community must enforce comprehensive arms embargoes and sanctions. The Panel of Experts on Sudan has documented continued weapons flows to RSF forces through smuggling networks and third-party intermediaries, with evidence suggesting support from regional actors. The failure of the international community to effectively enforce the existing UN arms embargo has allowed the RSF to continue its offensive operations and commit widespread violations of international humanitarian law. Until the flow of weapons to all parties in the conflict is stopped, the violence will continue and civilians will continue to bear the brunt of the conflict.

Recommendations

Immediate Actions

1. Unfettered Humanitarian Access: Demand and enforce full, unimpeded humanitarian access to all affected areas, with guarantees for aid workers and supplies. This requires establishing humanitarian corridors, monitoring mechanisms, and sanctions for parties that obstruct aid delivery. The international community must use all available leverage—including diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions, and targeted military measures—to ensure that civilians can receive the life-saving assistance they desperately need.
2. Ceasefire and Peace Process: Establish and enforce a permanent ceasefire through binding international mechanisms. This should include the deployment of international monitors, the establishment of demilitarized zones, and consequences for parties that violate ceasefire agreements. Peace negotiations must include representatives from all Sudanese civil society groups, particularly women’s organizations, youth groups, and ethnic minorities who have been most affected by the conflict.
3. Protection of Civilians: Deploy international protection forces to safeguard civilian populations, particularly in besieged areas. This could include a UN protection force, regional peacekeeping mission, or coalition of willing states with a clear mandate to protect civilians. Protection forces must have robust rules of engagement and the resources to effectively deter and respond to attacks on civilians.

Long-Term Accountability

1. International Justice: Establish an international judicial mechanism to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. This could include a special international tribunal for Sudan or referral to the International Criminal Court. The investigation must be independent, impartial, and have the resources to conduct thorough investigations and prosecutions. Victims must be at the center of the justice process, with meaningful participation and reparations.
2. Targeted Sanctions: Impose comprehensive sanctions on RSF leaders, financiers, and enablers, including asset freezes and travel bans. Sanctions should include targeted measures against individuals and entities supporting the RSF, including businesses facilitating arms transfers and financial networks funding the conflict. Sanctions must be comprehensive and enforced consistently to be effective in changing behavior and preventing further atrocities.
3. Arms Embargo: Enforce and strengthen the existing UN arms embargo to prevent further weapon flows to RSF forces. This requires enhanced monitoring, interdiction capabilities, and sanctions for violations. The arms embargo must be comprehensive, covering all parties to the conflict, and include measures to prevent the diversion of humanitarian assistance for military purposes.

Regional and International Cooperation

1. Neighboring Countries: Support neighboring countries hosting millions of Sudanese refugees with adequate resources and protection measures. This includes funding for refugee camps, border management systems, and integration programs. Host countries must be supported to maintain open borders and provide protection to refugees, while ensuring that refugee populations are not used as political pawns in regional conflicts.
2. African Union and Arab League: Engage regional organizations to pressure Sudanese parties and support peace efforts. Regional organizations can provide mediation, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms that are more acceptable to Sudanese parties than purely international initiatives. The African Union in particular has a responsibility to address conflicts on the continent and should lead efforts to restore peace and stability in Sudan.
3. UN Security Council: Demand meaningful action from the UN Security Council, including referral to the International Criminal Court. The Security Council must overcome geopolitical divisions to take meaningful action on Sudan, including authorizing stronger peacekeeping mandates, imposing sanctions, and referring the situation to the ICC. The credibility of the UN system is at stake, and the Security Council must demonstrate that it is capable of responding to large-scale atrocities.

Conclusion

The situation in Sudan represents a profound failure of the international community to protect civilians and prevent mass atrocities. The deliberate targeting of civilians, commission of genocide, and obstruction of humanitarian aid constitute crimes against humanity that demand urgent and decisive action. We call upon the international community to act now to stop the violence, ensure humanitarian access, and hold perpetrators accountable before more lives are lost and the crisis becomes irreversible.

The people of Sudan deserve protection, justice, and the opportunity to build a peaceful future. The time for half-measures and empty declarations is over. Immediate, decisive action is required to prevent further atrocity and address this catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The international community must learn from past failures in Rwanda, Darfur, and other conflicts where early warnings were ignored and inaction allowed atrocities to escalate. The situation in Sudan is not too complex or too difficult—it requires the political will to prioritize human lives over geopolitical interests and to uphold the fundamental principles of international law and human rights.

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References

[1] UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Sudan, “Report on the Situation in Sudan,” January 2026
[2] Human Rights Watch, “The Darfur Crisis: Ethnic Cleansing Continues,” December 2025
[3] Amnesty International, “Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War in Sudan,” November 2025
[4] UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, “Situation Report on Sudan,” December 2025
[5] International Organization for Migration (IOM), “Displacement Tracking Matrix – Sudan Crisis Update,” February 2026
[6] Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), “Attacks on Healthcare in Sudan,” January 2026
[7] Save the Children, “Targeting of Civilian Infrastructure in Sudan,” December 2025
[8] World Food Programme (WFP), “Famine Assessment Report – Sudan,” February 2026
[9] UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), “Sudan Humanitarian Needs Overview,” January 2026
[10] World Health Organization (WHO), “Health System Collapse in Sudan,” December 2025
[11] UNICEF, “Education Crisis in Sudan – Emergency Report,” February 2026
[12] Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Cluster, Sudan, “Water and Sanitation Crisis Assessment,” January 2026
[13] International Court of Justice (ICJ), “Preliminary Findings on Genocide Risk in Darfur,” December 2025
[14] UN Security Council, “Report on Command Responsibility in Sudan,” January 2026
[15] African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), “Peace Process Assessment,” December 2025
[16] UN Financial Tracking Service (FTS), “Sudan Humanitarian Funding Gap Analysis,” February 2026
[17] Panel of Experts on Sudan, “Arms Flow Monitoring Report,” January 2026