“They're Killing Everyone That Moves"— How Sudan’s Death Toll Exceeded Gaza’s

Quick Overview

The conflict in Sudan, particularly around Al-Fasher, is described as a systematic, premeditated act of genocide rooted in the RSF militia's history, leading to an estimated 177,000 to 250,000 civilian deaths since February 2023, with the situation worsening due to a lack of international accountability and support, especially from external backers like the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Key Points: An estimated 177,000 to 250,000 people of Sudanese original population have died since February 2023 in the conflict. The systematic violence in Al-Fasher is described as an act of genocide, with the RSF militia being the primary perpetrator. The situation is exacerbated by external backers like the UAE and Saudi Arabia continuing to support the RSF despite their actions. The UN Security Council failed to pass a resolution in July 2023 that would have mandated a ceasefire, contributing to the ongoing violence. There is a perceived lack of accountability for the RSF's atrocities, with some noting that both the Trump and Biden administrations failed to act decisively. The conflict involves the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and is characterized by mass killings and ethnic cleansing targeting specific groups like the Fur people. Experts like Nathaniel Raymond suggest the high death toll stems from the systematic nature of the violence, which includes targeted killings and the creation of humanitarian crises.

Context: The video features an interview segment on Zeteo's 'Mehdi Unfiltered' program, involving host Mehdi Hasan, Sudan specialist Shayna Lewis, and Yale Humanitarian Research Lab Executive Director Nathaniel Raymond, discussing the escalating humanitarian crisis and violence in Sudan, particularly focusing on the fall of Al-Fasher to the RSF militia and the failure of international bodies to intervene effectively.

Detailed Analysis

The discussion centers on the dire situation in Sudan, particularly around the city of Al-Fasher, where violence has escalated to levels described as unprecedented in 15 years of satellite imagery analysis by Nathaniel Raymond. Raymond estimates that between 177,000 and 250,000 people of Sudanese origin have died since February 2023, with many buried inside walls or in mass graves, and that the violence is systematic and premeditated, equating to genocide. Shayna Lewis confirmed that the RSF and SAF are engaged in ethnic cleansing, targeting groups like the Fur people, and that the RSF's actions are worse than the former regime's. A key factor exacerbating the crisis is the external support the RSF receives from countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The international community's failure to act, exemplified by the UN Security Council not passing a ceasefire resolution in July 2023, is heavily criticized. Raymond noted that both the Trump and Biden administrations have been perceived as turning a blind eye, possibly due to ongoing diplomatic ties like the Abraham Accords or the UAE's military ties with Israel. The experts stress the urgent need for international pressure on external backers to stop arming the RSF and for civil society to demand accountability and push for a ceasefire to save lives.