According to a damning UN report, the advance of General Hemedti’s Rapid Support Forces in Darfur last year was accompanied by ethnic massacres, notably in the West Darfur capital, El-Geneina. Where the violence could, according to these experts, amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
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In the town of El-Geneina alone, between 10,000 and 15,000 people – civilians – were killed by the Rapid Support Forces, UN experts report. The capture of this city was done in two stages, they explain. An attack in June, causing the massive displacement of Massalit communities in IDP camps. And a final assault in November.
After defeating the army, the paramilitaries – under the command of General Hemedti’s brother – then attacked civilians in their homes, in refugee camps and on the road as they fled to Chad. Young men from the Massalit tribe were targeted, add these experts, who report summary executions, rape of women and girls as young as 14, destruction of property, and systematic looting.
The town of El-Geneina and its surroundings were emptied of its Massalit populations. “ The attacks were planned, coordinated and executed by the RSF and their allied Arab militias “, says the UN report. Which concludes that these violations could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
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