EL FASHER — In a damning assessment of the deteriorating conflict in Sudan, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has documented a systematic campaign of violence directed at people with disabilities during the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) takeover of El Fasher. The report, released this week, warns that the paramilitary group’s actions—including summary executions and torture—likely constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The RSF seized control of North Darfur’s capital on October 26, 2025, following a brutal 18-month siege. According to testimony from 22 survivors and witnesses, RSF fighters singled out individuals with physical and mental impairments, often viewing them as “suspects, burdens, or expendable.”
Targeted Executions and Dehumanization
The HRW investigation reveals a pattern of lethal discrimination. Survivors recounted several chilling incidents:
- Mistaken Identity: Fighters frequently accused people missing limbs of being “injured combatants” from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), leading to immediate summary executions.
- Violence Against the Vulnerable: Witnesses described the execution of a young man with Down syndrome and a blind child who was shot after being ordered to “get down” despite his inability to see his attackers.
- The “Tax on Disability”: Those unable to flee were often subjected to extortion. One survivor was held for four days until his family paid an $8,800 ransom, a sum far beyond the means of most displaced families.
The “Statistical Vacuum” in Aid Distribution
The crisis for Sudan’s disabled population extends into the displacement camps. A recent Sudan Tribune investigation into hubs like Tawila found that while people with disabilities make up 22% of displaced households, less than 10% have access to essential assistive devices or specialized medical care.
International aid agencies have been criticized for a “one-size-fits-all” model that fails to account for limited mobility in sandy, rugged terrain. Without a comprehensive census, a “statistical vacuum” persists, preventing specific funding for prosthetic limbs, hearing aids, and accessible infrastructure—a violation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“Hallmarks of Genocide”
The UN’s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission has characterized the violence in El Fasher as an organized campaign targeting non-Arab ethnic groups, specifically the Zaghawa and Fur communities.
In a report released on February 19, 2026, UN investigators concluded that genocidal intent was the “only reasonable inference” for the atrocities. They cited the systematic use of starvation, mass killings, and explicit declarations from perpetrators aiming to “eliminate” specific communities. The targeting of persons with disabilities is now seen as a lethal component of this wider, coordinated assault on the civilian population.
As the war enters 2026, the international community faces growing pressure to move beyond sanctions and implement a dedicated protection track for Sudan’s most marginalized survivors.
Human rights by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Pix4free
