The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, addressing the recent report by the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan, which was presented at the 57th Session of the Human Rights Council.
In their statement, the RSF acknowledged the mission’s work and emphasized the need for an independent and impartial investigation into the crimes committed since the outbreak of conflict on April 15, 2023. They highlighted their consistent calls for the creation of an independent fact-finding body and welcomed the UN mission’s formation.
The RSF affirmed their willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation, stressing the importance of ensuring that the mission’s objectives are met. They also mentioned their invitation to UN officials to visit areas under RSF control, offering safe access to critical sites. Despite this, they expressed disappointment that their offer had been declined, stating that no UN officials had visited RSF-controlled areas to investigate or speak with civilians on the ground.
After reviewing the report, the RSF expressed regret over not being given a chance to respond before its publication on September 5, 2024. They argued that allowing them to respond would have aligned with international justice principles. Nevertheless, the group reiterated its support for an impartial investigation process and called for balanced reporting on the ongoing Sudan conflict.
The RSF also urged for the extension of the UN mission’s mandate, stating that a longer timeframe would allow for a more comprehensive understanding of the situation on the ground. They highlighted their efforts to protect civilians, maintain stability in RSF-controlled regions, and ensure accountability for any violations of the laws of war by their members.
Sudan vs UAE at the UN
Meanwhile, Sudan’s army-controlled government accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of supplying weapons to the RSF, further fueling the 17-month-long conflict. These accusations surfaced on Wednesday during a UN Security Council meeting, where all 15 members voted unanimously to extend the arms embargo in Sudan’s Darfur region until September 12, 2025.
The UAE dismissed the accusations as “utterly false” and “baseless.” UAE Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab accused Sudan’s military of deflecting attention from its own failures and criticized them for refusing to engage in peace negotiations.
He called for the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to join peace talks, accusing them of using starvation as a weapon of war and ignoring international appeals to halt the conflict. The RSF, by contrast, had sent a delegation to peace negotiations in Geneva, which Sudan’s military refused to attend.
The Security Council meeting followed the release of the first report by UN-backed human rights investigators. The report recommended extending the arms embargo across Sudan and called for an “independent and impartial force” to protect civilians amid the ongoing war. It held both sides responsible for war crimes, including murder, mutilation, and torture, while warning that foreign governments providing arms or support could be complicit in these violations.