Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Wednesday, the European Union condemned what it described as the “brutality” of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group that recently took control of the strategic city of El-Fasher.
The statement was issued amid reports of widespread atrocities and the killing of five Red Crescent volunteers in Kordofan.
“Civilians being targeted based on their ethnicity underscores the brutality of the Rapid Support Force,”
said a statement by the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
The seizure of El Fasher, Darfur’s capital, by the Rapid Support Forces marks a dangerous turning point in Sudan's war.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) October 29, 2025
The EU urges all parties to return to negotiations, respect humanitarian law, and ensure safe access for humanitarian aid.
My statement with @hadjalahbib…
How did the EU respond to RSF’s actions in Sudan?
“The seizure of El Fasher, Darfur’s capital, by the Rapid Support Forces marks a dangerous turning point in the war and threatens to further worsen the already dire humanitarian situation. Civilians being targeted based on their ethnicity underscore the brutality of the Rapid Support Forces,”
the EU statement said.
“The EU calls on all parties to immediately de-escalate in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2736. All parties must respect international humanitarian law and uphold their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration,”
it further added.
How are Arab countries reacting to RSF’s brutality?
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye, and Jordan have also denounced the abuses perpetrated by RSF.
Egypt, Turkiye, and Qatar all reaffirmed their unwavering support for Sudan’s unity, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Cairo emphasised its rejection of any efforts to divide the country or threaten its unity and territorial integrity.
What atrocities have been reported following RSF’s takeover?
RSF, engaged in a two-year conflict with the country’s army, is accused of significant atrocities during their capture of the western Sudanese city of el-Fasher following an 18-month siege.
Joint Forces, which is allied with the Sudanese army, stated on Tuesday that the RSF had,
“committed heinous crimes against innocent civilians in the city of el-Fasher, where more than 2,000 unarmed citizens were executed and killed on October 26 and 27, most of them women, children, and the elderly.”
The Sudanese army confirmed it had withdrawn from el-Fasher after determining that a retreat was necessary due to the destruction and targeted killing of civilians.
The UN also warned that the risk of additional large-scale, ethnically-motivated violations and atrocities in el-Fasher is increasing day.” The RSF now controls nearly all of western Sudan, with el-Fasher as its stronghold.
