**Sudan: The Era of Digital Transparency in the Face of the Horror of Paramilitary Massacres**
For over twenty months, Sudan has been plunged into a devastating conflict, where the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), under the command of General Hemedti, have orchestrated large-scale violence against civilians. What could pass for a banal armed conflict has managed to inflame consciences, not only because of the brutality of the atrocities, but also because of the way in which these atrocities have become accessible to the general public. A recent investigation by the Fatshimetrie team, coupled with contributions from open source researchers, highlights a disturbing reality: in this modern war, the executioners film themselves, boast about their exploits on social networks, and reveal a paramilitary hierarchy that can now be dissected.
### Videos as evidence and propaganda tools
The method used by the FSR is revealing of the issues of visibility and the way of communicating in the contemporary era. Fighting, executions, and rapes are no longer hidden in the shadows of the battlefields, but exposed to the world’s view. This exhibition, far from being an act of desperation, is similar to a well-orchestrated digital strategy. Young paramilitaries, in search of recognition or social legitimacy, reveal themselves on platforms such as TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook, seeking not only to report their actions, but also to claim a form of power through these shocking images. They use digital tools as a means of propaganda, but also as a way to claim points of view, going so far as to justify their actions in the name of a right to be destroyed.
This culture of sharing on social networks has deeper ramifications. Not only does this make atrocities visible and verifiable, it also challenges the ethics of journalism and human rights documentation. It therefore becomes crucial to question the responsibility of platforms that, by their viral nature, facilitate the dissemination of potentially criminal content. What good is evidence if it does not serve to bring the perpetrators to justice?
### A hierarchy of horrors revealed by data analysis
Fatshimetrie’s investigation uncovers a complex command structure among the FSR, still loose and tangled, but recognizable. By cross-referencing information from the videos with other sources, the researchers were able to identify around twenty key commanders and their role in carrying out the massacres. Social networks, as living archives, offer a unique opportunity to map this cruelty. This modern phenomenon of the “digitalization of crime” presents a duality: by exposing their actions, these fighters also pave the way for their own potential condemnation.
To understand the magnitude of these revelations, it is pertinent to refer to historical examples such as the Balkan wars in the 1990s. At that time, evidence of war crimes was mostly collected by traditional journalists based on direct testimony, written documents and interviews. Today, the spirit and practices of documenting atrocities are shifting towards a format where spectacle and ephemerality are intertwined; the persistence of digital technology offers permanent archives where there was previously only oblivion.
### The future of impunity in a hyperconnected world
In light of the horrors of Sudan, it is crucial to reflect on the impunity that is still present. The commanders and fighters who filmed and published these acts have little concern for the return to order that might follow. A study by the International Criminal Court found that the lack of tangible consequences on the ground continues to fuel the escalation of violence. Could Fatshimetrie’s analysis help change this dynamic? Data collection, the spotlighting of perpetrators, and international pressure could finally usher in a turning point in the response to such atrocities.
At a time when truths are revealed through screens—where every click, every share, becomes a piece of the puzzle—it is up to the international community to demand accountability. Sudan could serve as a compelling example for future investigations, a story etched into the collective digital memory. Documenting these horrors, far from being a passing phenomenon, could become the foundation for a new face for international justice.
As the human tragedy continues, the need to respond with firmness and determination has never been more pressing. Sudan’s future may depend on the ability of an interconnected world to recognize and act on such atrocities, shedding some light into the darkness of the power struggles that ravage the country. The videos, more than just social media content, are becoming living witnesses, calling the world to witness and act.