Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris has called for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to be designated a terrorist organization, warning that the ongoing violence in Darfur could spill across national borders if the international community fails to intervene. The appeal comes as mounting evidence emerges of mass atrocities committed by the paramilitary group in the western region of Sudan.

RSF Seizes El-Fasher, Darfur’s Last SAF Stronghold

The RSF, a powerful paramilitary force, last week captured el-Fasher, the final city held by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Darfur. The takeover ended an 18-month siege, which had caused widespread humanitarian suffering. Survivors report mass killings, summary executions, sexual violence, and other abuses. The Sudan Doctors Network estimated that at least 1,500 civilians were killed in the first days of the occupation, while analysts warn the true toll could be much higher.

Satellite imagery indicates the digging of mass graves in el-Fasher, and over 80,000 people have fled the city and surrounding areas, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The United Nations reports that hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped amid ongoing violence.

“They have been condemned worldwide, but these condemnations are not enough,” Prime Minister Idris told Al Jazeera. “What is needed now more than ever is to designate this group as a terrorist militia because the danger now is not only threatening Sudan, but it could destabilize Africa and the wider world.”

Personal Accounts Highlight Humanitarian Crisis

Civilians escaping el-Fasher describe harrowing encounters with RSF fighters at armed checkpoints. One displaced woman, Najwa, recounted:

“They took my husband and tortured him. They beat his face and body. … We begged them to let us go. He was unconscious, covered in blood. I don’t know if he is alive or dead.”

The situation in Darfur has drawn international scrutiny, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirming it is taking “immediate steps … to preserve and collect relevant evidence for future prosecutions.”

RSF Response and Controversy

While the RSF has denied some of the most serious allegations and claims it is “liberating” territory, videos documenting abuses prompted the group to temporarily detain one of its top commanders, known as Abu Lulu, who was later released.

Both the RSF and SAF have faced accusations of war crimes. A UN Human Rights Council report from September 2025 details extrajudicial killings, large-scale attacks on civilians, torture, and sexual violence, with the RSF responsible for the majority of documented abuses.

Roots of the Conflict

The civil war erupted in April 2023 due to tensions between Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo. Fighting quickly spread from the capital, Khartoum, to Darfur, escalating into intercommunal violence involving Arab militias and Masalit fighters. Over two years, the RSF steadily gained control of Darfur’s main cities, leaving the SAF in a defensive position until el-Fasher’s recent fall.

Prime Minister Idris described the army’s retreat as a “tactical withdrawal,” emphasizing optimism about regaining control and refuting claims of a total military defeat.

Worsening Food Security Crisis

Amid the conflict, Sudan faces one of the world’s most severe food crises. UN agencies reported last week that famine has spread to areas including el-Fasher, forcing families to survive on leaves, animal feed, and grass. Nationwide, over 21 million people are experiencing acute food shortages.

Global Implications

Prime Minister Idris warned that without urgent international intervention, RSF’s actions could destabilize the wider African region. The call for designating the RSF as a terrorist organization reflects growing global concern over Darfur’s escalating humanitarian and security crisis.