Former Sudanese MP Siham Hassan Executed by RSF Militants in Al-Fashir

KHARTOUM – Siham Hassan, a former member of Sudan’s parliament and a prominent humanitarian figure in North Darfur, was reportedly executed by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in the besieged city of Al-Fashir earlier today, according to multiple regional sources and resistance networks.

Hassan, known for running community kitchens that fed thousands of displaced and starving civilians in Al-Fashir, had remained in the city despite escalating violence. Her death marks a grim escalation in the RSF’s campaign to seize control of the last Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) stronghold in Darfur. “She was a symbol of civilian resistance and compassion,” said a member of the Al-Fashir Resistance Committee, speaking anonymously for security reasons. “Her execution is a message to all who dare to defy RSF rule.”

The RSF, a paramilitary group accused of war crimes and ethnic cleansing in Darfur, has intensified its assault on Al-Fashir in recent weeks. According to online reports, the group claims to have captured the SAF’s Six Infantry Division base, effectively dismantling the last organized military resistance in the region.

Hassan’s humanitarian work had earned her respect across political divides. She was known for organizing food distribution, shelter, and medical aid in Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps, often using her own resources and networks to bypass blockades. “She fed the hungry when no one else could,” said Mariam El-Tayeb, a nurse who worked with Hassan. “She was fearless and selfless.”

Her execution has sparked outrage among Sudanese civil society groups and international observers. The Darfur Bar Association condemned the killing as a war crime and called for urgent international intervention to protect civilians in Al-Fashir. “This is not just a tragedy—it’s a crime against humanity,” the association said in a statement.

The RSF has denied targeting civilians, claiming that its operations are aimed at “liberating” Al-Fashir from SAF-aligned forces and armed militias. However, other online reports describe widespread atrocities, including drone strikes on civilian areas, looting, and forced displacement.

Humanitarian agencies say over 300,000 residents remain trapped in Al-Fashir, with dwindling access to food, water, and medical supplies. The UN has called for a ceasefire and safe corridors for aid delivery, but negotiations have stalled. “Al-Fashir is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe,” said UN Special Envoy Volker Perthes. “The world must act.”

Siham Hassan’s legacy as a humanitarian and public servant is being mourned across Sudan and the diaspora. Her death underscores the brutal cost of the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for international accountability.