WJWC Condemns RSF Massacres in North Kordofan, Urges Immediate International Investigation

Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) expresses its deepest condemnation of the horrific and systematic massacres committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s North Kordofan state.

These atrocities, carried out over recent days, mark a dangerous escalation in the conflict and constitute flagrant violations of international humanitarian law. The deliberate targeting of civilians—through mass executions, destruction of homes, and forced displacement—points to crimes that fall under the categories of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and potentially genocide.

On Saturday, July 12, RSF forces launched a large-scale and coordinated assault on several villages in the rural area of Bara, including Al-Noum, Umm Betti, Fouja, Jikou, and Mushaiki. Testimonies gathered by Women Journalists Without Chains, and corroborated by statements from Sudanese Emergency Lawyers, reveal that more than 200 civilians were killed—many of them inside their homes. At least 38 individuals were reportedly executed in cold blood by gunfire. Entire families were massacred, their bodies buried in mass graves in an apparent attempt to cover up the crimes.

The violence continued the next morning, Sunday, July 13, when RSF troops stormed the village of Hilla Hamed, west of Al-Fulah. In another brutal episode, 46 civilians were killed, including pregnant women and children. Eyewitnesses described scenes of indiscriminate gunfire and systematic arson: homes were torched, farmland was destroyed, and livestock slaughtered—revealing a deliberate strategy of terror and forced displacement.

The stories emerging from these areas are unbearable. Survivors recount fleeing over bodies, watching their homes burn, and hearing the cries of children silenced by bullets. These are not isolated incidents—they form part of a deliberate and escalating campaign to erase entire communities.

Legal Assessment: Clear Violations of International Law

The attacks documented in North Kordofan reflect a scorched-earth policy that targets specific populations with the intent to annihilate and displace. Such conduct constitutes a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the targeting of civilians in times of conflict. These crimes fall squarely within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) under the Rome Statute, qualifying as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possibly genocide.

The systematic nature of the violence—the execution-style killings, mass graves, and the deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure—demands urgent legal accountability at the highest level.

Complicity and the Role of Regional Actors

WJWC also draws attention to the continued and well-documented support provided to the RSF by regional actors, particularly the United Arab Emirates. The RSF’s operational strength has been significantly bolstered by financial and logistical assistance from these sources. This support has enabled the force to carry out atrocities with impunity. The UAE's role in sustaining the RSF's campaign of violence must be thoroughly investigated and addressed through international legal and diplomatic mechanisms.

At the same time, the deafening silence from the broader international community—including key United Nations bodies—represents a moral failure and a dereliction of duty. This inaction is not just unacceptable; it emboldens the perpetrators and deepens the suffering of Sudanese civilians.

Immediate Demands to the International Community

In light of these grave developments, Women Journalists Without Chains urgently calls on the international community to act decisively and without delay. We issue the following demands:

·         Immediate International Investigation

Launch an independent, transparent investigation under the direct supervision of the United Nations Human Rights Council to thoroughly document the crimes committed in North Kordofan and identify those responsible.

·         Referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC)

The situation must be immediately referred to the ICC Prosecutor to begin proceedings against military and political leaders involved in ordering or enabling these atrocities.

·         Targeted Sanctions

Impose immediate and comprehensive international sanctions against RSF leadership, as well as against governments and private entities—including the UAE—that are complicit through material or financial support.

·         Humanitarian Access and Civilian Protection

Secure the urgent establishment of safe humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians, facilitate the delivery of relief aid, and ensure access to medical care in affected areas.

·         Deployment of International Protection Forces

The United Nations Security Council must authorize the deployment of a civilian protection force to areas under threat. This international presence is critical to preventing further massacres and restoring a minimum standard of safety for vulnerable communities.

Final Word

The situation in North Kordofan is a test of international resolve and moral clarity. If the world stands by as these crimes unfold, it not only betrays the people of Sudan—it erodes the very foundations of international law and justice. Silence is not neutrality; it is complicity. Action must be swift, coordinated, and unequivocal.

Released by:

Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC)

July 14, 2025