This article contains references to rape and sexual assault.
The United Nations' independent fact-finding mission on Sudan has said the siege and capture of al-Fashir by a paramilitary group bears "the hallmarks of genocide".
Its investigation concluded that the Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) seizure of the city in Darfur state in October had inflicted "three days of absolute horror" and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.
The mission warned that "urgent protection of civilians is needed, now more than ever" in neighbouring Kordofan state, the flashpoint of fighting since the RSF's capture of al-Fashir, which was marked by ethnic massacres, sexual violence and detention.
"The scale, coordination and public endorsement of the operation by senior RSF leadership demonstrate that the crimes committed in and around al-Fashir were not random excesses of war," mission chairman Mohamad Chande Othman said.
"They formed part of a planned and organised operation that bears the defining characteristics of genocide."
Since April 2023, the conflict between Sudan's army and the paramilitary RSF has killed tens of thousands and forced 11 million people to flee their homes.
It has triggered what the UN says is one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
The UN Human Rights Council established the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan in October 2023 to start gathering evidence of violations.
Its investigation into the takeover of al-Fashir, following an 18-month siege, concluded that thousands of people, particularly from the Zaghawa ethnic group, "were killed, raped or disappeared".
The Zaghawa is one of the area's largest non-Arab ethnic groups.
Executions and sexual violence
The mission interviewed 320 witnesses and victims from al-Fashir and the surrounding areas, including in investigative visits to Chad and South Sudan.
It authenticated, verified and corroborated 25 videos.
Survivors spoke of widespread killings, including indiscriminate shootings and mass executions at exit points.
They described seeing roads filled with the bodies of men, women and children, the mission said.
The report also detailed detention, torture, humiliation, extortion, ransom and disappearances.
Widespread sexual violence targeted women and girls from non-Arab communities, particularly the Zaghawa.
"Women and girls ranging from seven to 70 years old, including pregnant women, were subjected to rape."
Many survivors reported being raped in front of their relatives, the report said, with sexual violence frequently accompanied by extreme physical brutality.
"In one case, a 12-year-old girl was raped by three RSF fighters in front of her mother, shortly after her father had been killed while trying to protect her. The girl later died from her injuries," it said.
Rape was often committed in locations where mass killings had taken place, including at El-Saudi Hospital and at al-Fashir University.
"Witnesses recounted the RSF violently and publicly gang-raping at least 19 women in rooms filled with corpses, including the remains of their own husbands," the report said.
Report alleges 'genocidal intent'
Concluding that the RSF had acted "with genocidal intent", the mission found "at least three underlying acts of genocide were committed".
These included killing members of a protected ethnic group and causing serious bodily or mental harm.
"The RSF acted with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the Zaghawa and Fur communities in al-Fashir. These are the hallmarks of genocide," said investigator Mona Rishmawi.
The mission said such levels of atrocity had been reached because the perpetrators acted with impunity.
Reacting to the report at the UN Security Council on Thursday, UN under secretary general Rosemary DiCarlo said: "Strong action by the Security Council is more important than ever."
Chairing the meeting, UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: "There's page after page of the most distressing accounts imaginable. It is horrific."
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.
