COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: June 2025
Originally a paramilitary force of the state, the RSF is one of the main warring parties in the conflict and is controlling parts of the state. The RSF is responsible for widespread human rights violations, including extrajudicial and mass killings, sexual violence, looting and forced displacements. The RSF has reportedly targeted civilians, humanitarian convoys, and medical facilities, making protection impossible in areas under its control. Since the beginning of the conflict the RSF made efforts to build a civilian governance structure to stabilise and reinforce its control over newly seized areas. In February 2025, the RSF, alongside SPLM-N Al-Hilu and other allied groups, signed the Sudan Founding Alliance Charter in Nairobi, aiming to establish a parallel government in RSF-held areas and promote a secular, democratic, and decentralised state. Although the RSF attempted to establish a justice system and field courts in areas under its control, these institutions have reportedly been used infrequently. Furthermore, RSF internal mechanisms, specifically the RSF Committee for Addressing Violations and field courts, are reported to not be active in enforcing accountability. In RSF-controlled areas people have reportedly been forcibly disappeared, with their families coerced into paying ransoms for their release.
See 2.3. The Rapid Support Forces [RSF] and allies under 2. Actors of persecution.
The RSF, which is also one of the main actors of persecution, lacks the capacity, willingness, and appropriate functional institutions necessary to provide protection against persecution or serious harm. Further taking into account their active role in the ongoing conflict against the SAF and allies, and their record of human rights violations, it can be concluded that the RSF does not qualify as an actor of protection able to provide effective, non-temporary and accessible protection within the meaning of Article 7 QD/QR.
No other actors are currently found to be in control of a significant part of the territory and able to provide protection within the meaning of Article 7 QD/QR.