ICC prosecutor moves to issue arrest warrants over Darfur atrocities

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Karim Khan, has announced plans to seek arrest warrants against individuals accused of orchestrating atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region, where genocide and crimes against humanity have persisted amid ongoing conflict.

Speaking at the UN Security Council in New York, Khan highlighted the dire situation in Darfur, stating: “Criminality is accelerating. Civilians are being targeted, women and girls are subjected to sexual violence, and entire communities are being destroyed.” His remarks were based on evidence gathered through interviews with witnesses who fled the violence.

Echoes of a dark past

The current conflict in Sudan began in April 2023, igniting widespread violence across the country, including Darfur. Khan pointed out striking similarities between the atrocities now and those committed two decades ago, when Janjaweed militias terrorized the region, killing up to 300,000 people and displacing 2.7 million. “It’s the same groups, the same suffering, and tragically, a new generation enduring the same hell,” he said.

While Khan did not disclose specific details about the crimes or individuals targeted, he noted that patterns of violence closely align with past perpetrators and victims.

Growing violence and international response

The ICC has previously identified both Sudanese government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as potentially responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Witnesses and human rights organizations have accused the RSF of ethnically targeted attacks on non-Arab groups, particularly the Masalit community in Geneina, West Darfur.

Khan also highlighted progress in bringing accountability to Darfur. He cited the recent trial of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-al-Rahman, a Janjaweed leader accused of 31 war crimes from 2003-2004, whose trial concluded in December 2023. Arrest warrants remain outstanding for former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir and other senior officials.

Escalating humanitarian crisis

The humanitarian toll in Darfur continues to worsen. On January 24, a deadly attack on a Saudi-run hospital in North Darfur’s El Fasher left at least 70 people dead, raising concerns over the safety of civilians and aid workers. Meanwhile, reports indicate that RSF fighters are encircling the Zamzam camp, home to nearly 500,000 displaced people.

International efforts to address the crisis are mounting. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy have condemned the atrocities, with Rubio labeling them as genocide. The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on companies linked to the RSF, while the UK plans to host a ministerial meeting on Sudan in the coming months.

Worsening hunger and aid shortages

The World Food Programme (WFP) warns of an imminent famine in the Zamzam camp, where hundreds of thousands are at risk of starvation. The US, historically the largest donor to Sudan’s humanitarian response, has faced criticism for freezing aid amid the crisis.

Khan’s call for accountability underscores the urgent need for action in Darfur, as the region faces renewed atrocities reminiscent of its darkest days.