The RSF commander says he has tasked a commission with investigating violations and prosecuting any offenders
Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) chief has admitted that his fighters committed “some violations” against civilians during the recent capture of Al-Fashir, the capital of war-torn North Darfur.
Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, said in a 25-minute video posted on Telegram on Thursday that a committee to investigate the abuses has been formed. He added that legal and military investigators have already arrived in the city and promised that any trials would be public.
“The investigative commission will immediately begin to examine and hold accountable any officer or soldier who exceeded their limits or violated the rights of others. They will be arrested and sentenced immediately,” he said.
His comments followed widespread anger over atrocities after the RSF seized Al-Fashir from the Sudanese army on Sunday, following an 18-month siege marked by reports of starvation and heavy bombardment.
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the UN health agency was “appalled and deeply shocked” by reports that more than 460 people were killed at the city’s last functioning hospital.
“Prior to this latest attack, WHO has verified 185 attacks on health care in Sudan with 1204 deaths and 416 injuries of health workers and patients since the start of the conflict in April 2023. Forty-nine of these attacks occurred this year alone, killing 966 people,” he wrote on X Wednesday.
The Sudan Doctors’ Network said on Tuesday that six medical workers, including four doctors, a pharmacist and a nurse, were abducted in Al-Fashir by RSF units demanding a $1 million ransom for their release. The union accused the paramilitary group of trying to destroy what remains of Darfur’s health care system and urged the WHO and other international agencies to intervene urgently.
The UN Security Council said it will hold a meeting on Sudan on Thursday as the war between the army and the RSF enters its third year, amid fears the conflict could split the country between the militia and the army.
