More than 1,000 civilians were killed when Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces seized the Zamzam displacement camp in Darfur in April, the UN Human Rights Office reported on Thursday. About a third of the victims were reportedly executed summarily.
The Zamzam camp, located in western Darfur, housed nearly half a million people displaced by ongoing civil war. The takeover by paramilitary forces between April 11 and 13 caused mass panic and widespread devastation among residents.
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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said the killings may constitute the war crime of murder. He stressed that deliberate attacks on civilians or those not actively involved in combat violate international law.
According to the UN report, the massacre demonstrates a severe breakdown of protection for displaced populations in conflict zones. Survivors described targeted violence, looting, and destruction of shelters during the attack on the camp.
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The UN emphasized that accountability measures are urgently needed to prevent further atrocities and to bring perpetrators to justice. International observers called for independent investigations to ensure human rights violations are documented and prosecuted.
The Darfur region has experienced decades of conflict, leaving millions displaced and vulnerable. This latest report highlights the continued risks faced by civilians and the urgent need for international humanitarian support and protection.