Atrocities Against Disabled Civilians during RSF Takeover in Sudan Highlight Disturbing Human Rights Crisis
Nairobi — The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a major faction in the ongoing conflict in Sudan, have been accused of committing atrocious acts against individuals with disabilities during their recent takeover of El Fasher, North Darfur’s capital, on October 26, 2025. Human Rights Watch has documented numerous incidents of targeted killings, abuse, and humiliation inflicted on this vulnerable population amid a chaotic armed conflict.
According to a report released by Human Rights Watch, individuals with disabilities were marked for violence, often labeled as “combatants” or subjected to mockery. Survivors described harrowing experiences where RSF members treated them as expendable, executing people who were mistakenly perceived as threats due to their physical conditions. Emina Ćerimović, the associate disability rights director at Human Rights Watch, expressed outrage over the treatment meted out to these civilians. “Victims were accused of being injured fighters and were summarily executed,” she said. “Others were mocked as ‘insane’ or not ‘complete’ individuals.”
This systematic targeting of civilians constitutes clear violations of international law, which forbids attacks on non-combatants. During interviews conducted between December 2025 and February 2026, Human Rights Watch spoke with 22 survivors from El Fasher, alongside eight disability rights activists from various parts of Sudan, who corroborated similar abuses across the country. The testimonies exposed a disturbing pattern in which the RSF ambushed fleeing civilians, particularly those with disabilities who often struggled to escape.
One such survivor, a 33-year-old man who lost a leg to a previous conflict, recounted how RSF fighters interrogated him along with other escapees. He said, “All those missing limbs were considered soldiers,” noting that ethnic background and even skin tone factored into the assailants’ decisions on who was a civilian and who might be a threat. Tragically, more than ten individuals with physical disabilities were reportedly executed that day.
Another chilling account came from a 29-year-old nurse who witnessed the murder of a young man with Down syndrome by RSF fighters. They had mocked him before taking his life, alongside other innocent civilians, illustrating the brutality of the situation.
Activists like Zainab Salih, a prominent voice for disability rights in South Darfur, highlighted particular cases where opponents of the RSF — including children with disabilities — faced fatal consequences merely for being perceived as burdens in their desperate bid for safety. Survivors told of being left behind, including a 39-year-old man who had to abandon his unable-to-walk brother, who resigned himself to his fate during chaos.
Once displaced, those with disabilities found their struggles only compounded. Many reached refugee camps like Tawila with no means of mobility or access to essential medical care. Facilities in these camps often fail to accommodate their needs, leaving disabled individuals vulnerable and without support. A mother with a disabled daughter lamented the unavailability of necessary medication and assistive devices, underscoring the inadequacies of humanitarian aid.
International humanitarian laws mandate that parties involved in conflicts protect the rights of civilians, particularly those who do not participate in hostilities. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by Sudan, also obligates states to safeguard such populations in times of crisis. Yet, as Human Rights Watch has discovered, these obligations have been blatantly ignored.
Amid ongoing violence and deprivation, activists and humanitarian organizations are urging the United Nations Security Council to take immediate action against the RSF. Additionally, they call for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian responses to ensure their needs are addressed adequately.
As the world bears witness to the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Sudan, the experiences of those with disabilities remind us not only of the tragic consequences of armed conflict but also of the urgent need for global intervention and accountability.
— Reported by Nexio News
