ICC Prosecutor Seeks Arrest Warrants for Atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur Region

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Karim Khan, has announced his intention to seek arrest warrants for individuals accused of committing atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur region. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council in New York, Khan emphasized that there is verified evidence indicating that civilians are being targeted and entire communities are being destroyed amidst escalating criminality in the area.

Khan’s statements align with claims from the United States and other nations, which have classified the actions of a paramilitary group and its allies in Darfur as genocide. The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023, sparked by tensions between military and paramilitary leaders, and has spread to several regions including the vast Darfur area.

Khan remarked on the unsettling parallels between the current situation and the genocide witnessed two decades ago, asserting that the same communities are once again enduring severe violence. He highlighted that ICC lawyers have made significant progress in their investigations, interviewing witnesses who have fled the conflict.

The past atrocities in Darfur are well-documented, with the previous conflict leading to the death of up to 300,000 people and displacing around 2.7 million. Khan’s remarks included references to current ethnic targeting of populations, particularly against non-Arab groups.

In addition to these developments, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned a recent attack on a hospital in El Fasher which resulted in significant casualties. The situation in Darfur remains dire, with rising tensions and the threat of widespread famine looming over the displaced populations.

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