By Gill Bikram Singh 
Over 500 individuals may have been tortured or starved to death and buried in a secret mass grave outside Khartoum, according to newly uncovered evidence. The discovery, made at a former base of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has raised serious concerns about human rights violations amid Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
Torture Chambers and Secret Detention Center Found
After the Sudanese military retook control of the base, investigators found a hidden detention center with signs of severe mistreatment. Manacles hung from doors, bloodstains covered the floors, and punishment chambers were discovered within the facility. Survivors of the site recounted relentless torture by their captors.
Near the base, located about 70 kilometers north of Khartoum, an unmarked burial site contained at least 550 graves, some appearing to hold multiple bodies. Satellite imagery confirmed that the graves only appeared after the RSF took control of the area following the outbreak of war on April 15, 2023.
Survivors Show Severe Signs of Abuse
Medical teams that examined 135 survivors at the site documented clear signs of torture and starvation. Many were so malnourished and traumatized that they could barely speak or walk.
Dr. Hosham al-Shekh, one of the doctors on-site, described the horrific condition of those rescued. “Some had been shot in the leg, others had scars from repeated beatings. One man was tortured so often that he remained in a fetal position and could no longer straighten his legs,” Shekh said.
Calls for Investigation and Justice
Human Rights Watch (HRW) described the discovery as one of the largest atrocity crime sites found since the start of Sudan’s war and urged international investigators to be granted immediate access.
Jean-Baptiste Gallopin, from HRW’s crisis and conflict division, emphasized the need to secure evidence for future accountability. Meanwhile, the Sudanese military has sealed off the area to prevent tampering.
The RSF has been accused of ethnic cleansing and other atrocities, particularly in Darfur, where international investigators are already probing war crimes. The U.S. has accused the group of genocide, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) is gathering evidence on crimes against humanity.
Worsening Humanitarian Crisis
The ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF has caused one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history. Tens of thousands have died, and more than 14 million people have been displaced.
While both sides face accusations of war crimes, the recent discovery underscores the brutality of the conflict. Experts warn that without urgent international intervention, Sudan may see further mass killings and deepening instability.