ICC Investigates Allegations of War Crimes in Sudan's Darfur Region
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is actively investigating allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the city of al-Fashir, Darfur, Sudan, amid ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This conflict commenced in April 2023.
ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, in a video statement on Tuesday, emphasized his concern over reports of widespread international crimes, including ethnically motivated attacks on civilians, sexual violence, and assaults on hospitals. Khan called for individuals with evidence such as video or audio recordings to submit them to the ICC.
Khan's office has identified credible allegations of atrocities in Darfur, with a particular focus on al-Fashir. Al-Fashir, home to over 1.8 million people, has become a significant battleground in the conflict. Reports suggest that as many as 150,000 people have been killed so far, with the region facing severe displacement crises.
The ICC's jurisdiction covers war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed within member states or by their nationals. The United Nations Security Council referred the Darfur situation to the ICC in 2005.
Recent reports from humanitarian agencies, including UNICEF, detail attacks resulting in casualties, including the deaths of six children in an al-Fashir hospital. Over 130,000 civilians have fled the city amidst ongoing violence.
The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemeti, has gained control over most of Darfur. Hemeti, a former Janjaweed commander, and his forces have been linked to past and present atrocities in the region.
Karim Khan reiterated the ICC's commitment to investigating these crimes urgently, seeking to prevent a repetition of past atrocities in Darfur.