From slow deaths to open massacre: The fall of humanity in Al Fasher
The current global order no longer produces solutions nor does it deliver justice. It was seen in Gaza, and before that in Bosnia and Rwanda. Now, it is being seen again in Sudan.
What is happening today in el-Fasher is, in every sense, a crime against humanity. There is undeniable evidence showing that the RSF has committed grave human rights violations and carried out actions in direct breach of the laws of war.
Within just one week, thousands of people have been massacred right before the eyes of the world. This is, in every sense, a disaster for humanity.
Yet this is not the first time Sudan has witnessed such suffering. For the past eighteen months, people in el-Fasher have already been living under siege, dying slowly. They could not find food.
At one point, they were forced to eat animal feed even the meat of monkeys, rats, and cats. In other words, long before today’s massacre, a slow and silent one was already underway. At this stage, it is essential to understand the kind of mindset and state of mind driving the RSF militants.
The collapse of global justice and Türkiye’s exceptional stance
Türkiye, along with a growing number of countries, has begun to speak out in support of the Sudanese people against the RSF’s atrocities. This reflects Türkiye’s human-centered approach to foreign policy. Across global crises from Sudan to Gaza Türkiye’s voice has consistently been one of courage and moral clarity.
It must be acknowledged that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is among the few world leaders who have consistently brought the humanitarian tragedy in Sudan to the international agenda.
Unfortunately, few others have done the same. The United Nations, meanwhile, has once again failed to act effectively. Sadly, the world has become accustomed to such paralysis. The real question is no longer whether the international community can intervene, but whether it wants to.
The current global order no longer produces solutions nor does it deliver justice. It was seen in Gaza, and before that in Bosnia and Rwanda. Now, it is being seen again in Sudan.
The absence of any punitive measures for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war crimes in Gaza may well be the clearest indicator of this decay. Public trust in international justice mechanisms has collapsed.
There is no deterrence for those who commit atrocities. Every collapse begins with moral corruption and the global system today embodies precisely that.
El-Fasher’s strategic importance and the lessons ignored
El-Fasher holds critical strategic importance. A look at the map reveals it as a major crossroads a hub of logistics and movement, especially vital during wartime. Control over these routes means control over the flow of supplies.
It is important to note, however, that the main gold-rich areas of Darfur lie elsewhere in Jebel Amir and Songo. El-Fasher’s significance lies not in its resources but in its position linking Sudan’s east and west. It also hosts an airport that holds operational importance.
Darfur consists of five major cities. El-Fasher is the capital of North Darfur. Until last week, it was the only Darfur city still under the army’s control while the RSF already dominated South, West, Central, and East Darfur.
After a siege lasting one and a half years, the RSF has now taken el-Fasher as well, bringing all of Darfur under its control. The city’s fall is therefore not just symbolic; it is a geopolitical turning point.
At the same time, what is being witnessed in El-Fasher is nothing short of mass ethnic cleansing. There are rules to war but the RSF militias clearly disregard them. Immediate international intervention is essential.
Satellite images show mass graves and widespread executions. Preventing further atrocities and protecting human rights must now be the top global priority.
So far, all indications show that the RSF will continue to violate international humanitarian law and basic human norms.
Reports suggest, for example, that a militant leader known as “Abu Lulu” has personally executed and ordered the killing of countless civilians. This is only one case among many. The deeper issue is the absence of effective sanctions.
After Israel’s actions in Gaza, the hollowness of “international law” has become more apparent than ever.
Groups like the RSF take courage from this lawlessness because they do not act alone. Numerous reports, including those by the United Nations, have documented the external support they receive.
Today, another Gaza is being witnessed this time in Sudan, in el-Fasher. Where Israel’s impunity exists, the rule of law collapses. At this point, expecting compliance with the laws of war or respect for human rights has become an illusion.
What is happening in el-Fasher today is humanity putting itself on trial. And in this trial, the accused is not only the RSF but the silent world order that watches and does nothing.
The author, Tunç Demirtaş is a lecturer in the department of International Relations at Mersin University, Türkiye
Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, viewpoints and editorial policies of TRT Afrika.