The leader of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has declared an investigation into what he called violations committed by his soldiers during the capture of el-Fasher. The announcement by Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, came after escalating reports of civilian killings following the RSF takeover of the city in the Darfur region on Sunday. He spoke after international outrage about reports of mass killings in el-Fasher, apparently documented by his paramilitary fighters in social media videos.
The RSF has since released footage which they say shows the arrest of a fighter accused of carrying out executions in el-Fasher. Footage previously verified by BBC Verify showed the man, who goes by the name Abu Lulu online, shooting unarmed people in an area outside el-Fasher. The video posted by the RSF on Wednesday evening showed fighters leading the man under guard from a pick-up truck and into a jail cell. However, the UN's top humanitarian official, Tom Fletcher, has said the RSF's assurance that it will protect civilians is at odds with the 'appalling news' coming out of the region.
The crisis caused by the war between the army and RSF, which is in its third year, has raised concerns about ethnic violence and a growing humanitarian crisis. The Security Council issued a statement condemning the assault on el-Fasher and calling for safe passage for those trying to flee. Reports indicate a severe humanitarian situation, with widespread civilian casualties and the targeting of hospitals during the RSF's siege of the city. Although Hemedti expresses regret and promises accountability, there are doubts about whether similar past commitments will be honored.
The RSF has since released footage which they say shows the arrest of a fighter accused of carrying out executions in el-Fasher. Footage previously verified by BBC Verify showed the man, who goes by the name Abu Lulu online, shooting unarmed people in an area outside el-Fasher. The video posted by the RSF on Wednesday evening showed fighters leading the man under guard from a pick-up truck and into a jail cell. However, the UN's top humanitarian official, Tom Fletcher, has said the RSF's assurance that it will protect civilians is at odds with the 'appalling news' coming out of the region.
The crisis caused by the war between the army and RSF, which is in its third year, has raised concerns about ethnic violence and a growing humanitarian crisis. The Security Council issued a statement condemning the assault on el-Fasher and calling for safe passage for those trying to flee. Reports indicate a severe humanitarian situation, with widespread civilian casualties and the targeting of hospitals during the RSF's siege of the city. Although Hemedti expresses regret and promises accountability, there are doubts about whether similar past commitments will be honored.
