The International Criminal Court (ICC) is actively investigating allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the city of al-Fashir, Darfur, where conflict has intensified between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
In a recent video statement, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan expressed grave concern over reports of widespread atrocities, including ethnically-motivated attacks on civilians, rampant sexual violence, and assaults on medical facilities.
Urging individuals with relevant evidence to come forward, Khan stressed the urgency of the investigation.
Al-Fashir, located in northwestern Sudan’s Darfur region, is home to over 1.8 million residents and displaced individuals, and has become a focal point in the ongoing conflict between government forces and the RSF since April 2023.
The ICC has jurisdiction to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and, in certain instances, the crime of aggression within its 124 member states or by nationals of ICC members.
Additionally, the court can exercise jurisdiction through referrals from the United Nations Security Council, as was the case with Darfur in 2005.
Earlier this year, the ICC prosecutor informed the United Nations Security Council of his belief that war crimes were being perpetrated in Darfur by government troops and the RSF in El Geneina.
News Central reports that the power struggle between the SAF and the RSF escalated into a large-scale conflict in April 2023, significantly worsening the country’s humanitarian crisis.
Over a year into the conflict, at least 14,700 people have been reported killed, and nearly 30,000 others injured.
Prior to the conflict, Sudan was already facing severe humanitarian challenges, with 15.8 million people in need of aid due to long-term political instability and economic pressures.
The ongoing conflict has intensified these dire conditions, leaving almost 25 million people – more than half of Sudan’s population – in need of humanitarian assistance.
Additionally, over 8 million people have been displaced since last April, making Sudan the world’s largest displacement crisis.