THE Rapid Support Forces (RSF) carried out a brutal attack on Zamzam Internally Displaced Persons Camp on April 10, killing over 500 civilians, including 23 children, and targeting medical personnel and aid workers.
The assault, which also involved mass displacement, sexual violence, and abductions, has sparked widespread international condemnation, with calls for accountability against the militia and its supporters.
Witnesses described scenes of systematic executions, the destruction of vital infrastructure and the abduction of at least 25 young girls.
Among the dead were 10 medical professionals, including the director of Umm Kadada Hospital and nine humanitarian workers from international organisations.
The attack follows a well-documented pattern of RSF atrocities, from the massacres in El Geneina to the violence in Wad al-Nura and villages west of Omdurman.
The United Nations, which had previously adopted Resolution 2736 demanding an end to the siege of El Fasher and the protection of civilians, expressed outrage.
UN humanitarian co-ordinator in Sudan, Clementine Salami, called the attack a “horrific escalation”, while UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Tom Fletcher, condemned the killing of aid workers as a “betrayal of the rules of war”.
The World Health Organization confirmed the deaths of two health workers, reiterating that attacks on medical personnel are unacceptable.
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The United Kingdom (UK), Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar issued strong condemnations, with UK foreign secretary David Lammy expressing shock at the “indiscriminate slaughter of civilians and aid workers”.
Egypt denounced the RSF’s violations of international humanitarian law, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar described the massacre as a war crime.
Southern African Development Community (Sadc) chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressed the crisis during the recent Sadc summit, stating: “The ongoing violence in Sudan, particularly the targeting of displaced persons, is deeply disturbing.
“Sadc calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urges all parties to engage in dialogue for a peaceful resolution.”
However, critics argue that stronger action is needed, given the RSF’s continued impunity.
The Zamzam massacre has intensified scrutiny of the international community’s response, with many questioning why decisive measures have not been taken against the RSF and its backers.
