Faith Nyasuguta
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Karim Khan (pictured), announced plans to pursue arrest warrants for individuals accused of committing atrocities in Sudan’s West Darfur region. Addressing the United Nations Security Council on Monday, Khan emphasized that crimes, including the use of violence as a weapon of war, are ongoing in Darfur.
Khan’s conclusion stems from what he described as “a hard-edged analysis” of evidence and information gathered by his office. The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, erupted from long-standing tensions between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Fighting spread from the capital, Khartoum, to regions like Darfur, intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
The prosecutor highlighted disturbing similarities between the current violence and the genocide and war crimes committed in Darfur two decades ago. Between 2003 and 2005, up to 300,000 people were killed, and 2.7 million were displaced, largely due to the actions of the Janjaweed Arab militias, precursors to the RSF.
Khan stated, “The pattern of crimes, the perpetrators, and the targeted groups closely mirror those of 2003.” He lamented the ongoing suffering of Darfur’s communities, noting, “A new generation is enduring the same hell inflicted on previous generations.”
While Khan did not disclose the specific crimes or individuals targeted by the ICC, he reaffirmed the urgent need for accountability. Sierra Leone, speaking on behalf of nations party to the ICC’s Rome Statute, condemned the persistent impunity since 2003 and called on Sudan to cooperate fully with the court.
Michael Imran Kanu, Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the UN, stated, “The current violence underscores the need for accountability for past and present crimes. We urge Sudanese authorities to fulfill their obligations under Resolution 1593 by cooperating with the ICC to protect victims.”
Sudan’s former president, Omar al-Bashir, along with other officials, remains wanted by the ICC for atrocities committed in the early 2000s. However, no significant progress has been made in holding them accountable.
Khan’s appeal shows the ICC’s commitment to addressing both historical and ongoing crimes in Darfur, emphasizing the critical need for justice and protection for the region’s embattled communities.
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