Our Task Involves Only Executing' - The Way Sudan's Brutal Fighting Force Conducted a Mass Killing

Caution: This Report Includes Disturbing Descriptions of Executions.

Militiamen laugh as they travel on the bed of a utility vehicle, hurrying by a series of several dead bodies and moving facing the sinking Sudan's sunset.

"Look at this extensive accomplishment. Observe this instance of mass destruction," one exclaims.

He beams as he turns the camera on himself and his fellow militiamen, their RSF insignia on display: "These people shall all be killed like this."

These individuals are rejoicing over a mass killing that humanitarian officials suspect claimed the lives of over thousands of civilians in the Sudan's urban center of al-Fashir during October.

A City Severed from the Globe

After maintaining the urban area under encirclement for nearly two years, from the summer the militia moved to reinforce its dominance and prevent access for the remaining inhabitants.

Satellite images show that fighters started to construct a enormous sand wall - a elevated sand barrier - encircling the perimeter of el-Fasher, blocking roads and halting humanitarian assistance.

While the blockade escalated, seventy-eight individuals were murdered in an paramilitary strike on a mosque on mid-September, while the United Nations reported dozens further were murdered in aerial and heavy weapon bombardments on a refugee settlement in the autumn.

Graphic Recording Shows Unarmed Individuals Gunned Down

By sunrise on late October the militia defeated the last military defenses and took control of the main base in the community, the headquarters of the Military Unit, as the government forces withdrew.

Among the most disturbing footage to appear and analysed depicted the consequences of a massacre at a educational facility on the west of the community, where numerous lifeless forms were visible spread throughout the floor.

A senior individual wearing a white tunic sat isolated surrounded by the bodies. He looked to glance as a combatant equipped with a weapon moved along the steps towards the victim. Raising his weapon, the fighter released a single shot at the individual, who dropped to the surface lifeless.

"For what reason is this person yet breathing," a combatant shouted. "Kill this person."

Orbital photography captured on October 26th appeared to verify that shootings were also performed on the roads of el-Fasher, based on a analysis published by the academic research center.

One observer who spoke said the individual had seen "many of our relatives being executed - the victims were collected in one place and all murdered."

Militia Leaders Attempt to Conduct Reputation Management

Following the events that followed the massacre, militia chief conceded that his troops had carried out "violations" and said the events would be examined.

Included among arrested was after a analysis recording his murders. Deliberately choreographed and modified recording shared on the RSF's official Telegram account depict him being led into a cell at a jail on the edges of el-Fasher.

Meanwhile, the paramilitary force and associated online profiles began trying to reframe the narrative.

Content depicting its fighters handing out supplies to inhabitants were disseminated by some accounts, while the force's media office released numerous videos purporting to show the humane handling of military captives.

In spite of the digital initiative being deployed by the RSF, their actions in al-Fashir have generated worldwide condemnation.

Kathy Elliott
Kathy Elliott

A digital strategist and content creator passionate about blending creativity with technology to drive impactful online experiences.