The deputy chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC), Nazhat Shameem Khan, has announced a significant development in the investigation of war crimes within the Sudanese region of Darfur. The court has identified tangible evidence connecting leaders of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to atrocities committed in el-Fasher and el-Geneina.
While Khan refrained from setting a specific timeline for potential charges, she confirmed that the inquiry has achieved a breakthrough by linking on-the-ground events to specific individuals in leadership positions. The RSF continues to reject allegations of widespread violence, though they have acknowledged that some violations occurred during the conflict that began in April 2023.
The ICC’s ongoing investigation relies on a variety of sources, including forensic data, photographic evidence, and witness testimony. These efforts mirror patterns of abuse observed during previous conflicts in Darfur two decades ago. Although the court has successfully secured one conviction against a former militia leader, other high-profile suspects, including former President Omar al-Bashir, have yet to face trial for their alleged roles in historical and current crimes.
