Two years of mass atrocities in Sudan: civilian groups face persecution and need our protection.

(c) EU/ECHO, Anouk Delafortrie, EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, 'A Forgotten Crisis' - CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

15 April 2025 marks two years since war broke out in Sudan, in and what we hoped might be a short-lived conflict between two leaders. Instead, all-out civil war rages on, with local groups recruited to take sides, often along ethnic lines, with undertones of genocide. Both the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with their local allies as well as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their local allies have been responsible for mass atrocities against different ethnic and political groups as well as women targeted to inflict punishing destruction.

This non-exclusive breakdown provides simple pointers for at risk groups that urgently need protection from the international community.

A. Groups Most at Risk from RSF and Their Allied Militias

The RSF and allied armed groups or militia (including remnants of the Janjaweed) have primarily targeted non-Arab groups in Darfur, Kordofan, and other contested areas.

Ethnic Groups at Risk from RSF

Masalit (West Darfur) – The Masalit have been subjected to mass killings, sexual violence, and forced displacement by the RSF and allied Arab militias. Reports suggest genocidal intent, with Masalit communities being wiped out in cities like El Geneina.[1]
Fur and Zaghawa (Darfur) – The Fur and Zaghawa, historically targeted during the Darfur Genocide (2003–present), continue to face massacres and attacks, though in some areas in Darfur, the Zagawa and Fur are now fighting with SAF. [2]
Nuba (South Kordofan) – The RSF, active in parts of South Kordofan, has targeted Nuba communities, who are historically aligned with rebel movements.[3]

Political and Civil Groups at Risk from RSF

Pro-Democracy Activists – The RSF has attacked protest leaders and opposition figures.
Former Darfur Rebel Fighters (SLA, JEM) – Ex-rebel fighters from the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and civilians associated with them are at risk, as RSF seeks to eliminate rivals and those they perceive to be supporters.
Leaders in Darfur – Traditional leaders opposing RSF rule in Darfur have been assassinated or disappeared.

B. Groups Most at Risk from SAF and Their Allied Militias

The SAF and allied Islamist militias (including former regime loyalists and Islamist factions) have targeted groups suspected of supporting the RSF or opposing military rule.

Ethnic Groups at Risk from SAF

Arab Tribes Perceived as RSF Supporters – Members of some Arab groups, including the Rizeigat (Hemedti’s tribe) and Masseria, are assumed to be RSF supporters and face reprisals from SAF forces.
Ingessana (Blue Nile) – This ethnic group has suffered from government attacks in past conflicts, especially due to their association with rebel groups.
Tama tribe (farmers) originally from Darfur. Tambuk local language. Also has been targeted by SAF.
Non-Arab Communities in Conflict Zones – Civilians in areas controlled by rebel groups or neutral factions face indiscriminate SAF airstrikes.

Political and Civil Groups at Risk from SAF

Resistance Committees & Pro-Democracy Activists – SAF has cracked down on activists opposing military rule, arresting and killing protest leaders.[4]
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) Supporters – The SAF has long fought the SPLM-N, which seeks autonomy in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.[5]
Islamist Rivals – Although the SAF has ties to Islamist factions, some hardliners oppose Burhan’s leadership and have been purged or targeted.

Gendered Dimension

The SAF and its Islamist-aligned factions also engage in gender-based persecution, though with a different focus, including state repression of women activists and Islamist gender controls.

Women and Girls at Risk from SAF

Pro-Democracy, Resistance and Emergency Room Leaders. Women previously leading protests and opposition movements, who have often taken up running Emergency Rooms, have been targeted with arrests, torture, sexual violence and summary executions by SAF intelligence forces.
Sexual violence has been used as a weapon of war, including reports of sexual violence by SAF forces in conflict areas, such as in Blue Nile, South Kordofan and Jazeera States.[6]
Islamist Restrictions on Women. SAF-aligned groups have enforced dress codes, shut down women-led NGOs, and attacked feminist activists.
Amongst particularly vulnerable women, street sellers of tea and food have also been targeted. Some executed or arrested by military intelligence and special forces, and tried in different courts, as well as tortured on the basis of accusations of collaborating with RSF.

Men and Boys at Risk from SAF

Arbitrary Arrests & Executions of Activists. Pro-democracy men face arbitrary detention, torture, and disappearance.
Forced Recruitment of Young Men. The SAF has forcibly conscripted young men into its ranks, particularly in urban areas like Khartoum.[7]

Key Takeaways

RSF & Arab Militias are committing acts that might amount to genocide against the Masalit and mass atrocities against Fur, Zaghawa, and Nuba.
SAF & Islamist Militias are targeting Arab tribes aligned with RSF, pro-democracy activists, and ethnic groups in rebel-held areas.
Both sides are attacking civilians, women, activists, and rival ethnic communities amounting to persecution as a crime against humanity and in some localities likely genocide