On 11 November 2026, the Sudanese Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) released findings from an 18-month investigation into the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) deliberate poisoning of water sources across Sudan, leading to thousands of deaths.
The findings were released on the second anniversary of the Al Hilaliya massacre in eastern Al Gezira. In 2024, the RSF allegedly used toxic pesticides to poison the town’s main drinking water well, resulting in the deaths of at least 3,000 people.
Key Findings
– The investigation found that the RSF poisoned water sources in Al Hilaliya and neighbouring villages following a siege, seizure of food and essential supplies, and the looting of pesticide warehouses and markets across Khartoum State, particularly Bahri and the Central Market.
– More than 1,900 people reportedly died from poisoning and were buried in mass graves across Al-Hilaliya, Wad Abu Saleh and Um Dawan Ban.
– Laboratory analysis detected chemical indicators, including ammonium and arsenic, in well-water samples. Samples were preserved under internationally recognised protocols and remain available for independent verification.
– The investigation identified RSF field commanders Al Obeid Suleiman (Abu Shotal) and Ahmed Adam (Qajja) among those allegedly responsible, alongside the RSF medical unit’s alleged involvement in supervising the looting of pesticide warehouses.
- SOHR believes the poisoning was intended to forcibly displace civilians in retaliation for a military commander’s defection. The acts may constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity and violations of international prohibitions on chemical weapons.
- SOHR also condemns Sudanese authorities’ failures to document victims, preserve evidence and establish an independent investigation.
- SOHR calls for an independent international investigation, specialised forensic teams, examination of preserved samples, documentation of mass graves, prosecution of those responsible, and justice and reparations for victims and their families.
Established in early 2025, the SOHR is a human rights organisation focused on protecting civilians in Sudan. It documents and reports human rights violations and crimes committed against civilians by both warring parties, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), during the ongoing war.
The ongoing war in Sudan began in April 2023 between the SAF, led by de facto ruler Abdel Fattah Al Burhan Abdelrahman Al Burhan, and the RSF, led by de facto deputy ruler Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo Musa (Hemedti). The war has displaced an estimated 12 to 15 million people and resulted in more than 150,000 deaths, making it the world’s largest displacement crisis and one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
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