ICC Seeks Arrest Warrants Over Darfur Atrocities Amid Rising Violence

The Sudanese army announced its recapture of the Al-Jaili oil refinery, located approximately 70 kilometers north of Khartoum, which had been under the control of the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since the civil war began in April 2023. The refinery, the largest in Sudan with a capacity of 100,000 barrels per day, is a joint asset of the Sudanese government and the Chinese National Petroleum Corporation, according to officials. Recent satellite images revealed severe damage and fires at the facility, highlighting the wider devastation caused by the ongoing conflict that has reportedly claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced over 14 million people. A study by American universities estimates total casualties could reach as high as 130,000. Despite military gains, analysts warn that substantial negotiations will remain unlikely as long as neither side assumes full control over the capital. The situation in Darfur, where the U.S. has classified RSF actions as genocide against ethnic minorities, continues to deteriorate, with recent drone strikes resulting in numerous civilian casualties.

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.

A recent assault on a hospital in El Fascher, the capital of North Darfur, has resulted in the deaths of at least 70 individuals and injured 19 others, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The hospital was reportedly full at the time of the attack, which targeted both patients and their companions. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that the area had faced significant challenges in healthcare provision due to intense bombardments. The hospital was noted as the only operational medical facility in El Fascher, providing essential services such as gynecology, obstetrics, internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and nutrition stabilization. Another healthcare facility in El Malha was also attacked the previous day, further disrupting medical care for local residents and displaced persons. In light of these incidents, the WHO has called for an immediate cessation of attacks on health facilities and unrestricted access to restore damaged services, underscoring the urgent need for peace in Sudan. This escalation follows a protracted struggle for power in Sudan, which has seen the military, led by de facto leader Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, clashing with former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo and his militia, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF has been besieging El Fascher since last May, which is the last major city in the region still under government control. The UN's human rights office expressed concern over potential violence in El Fascher as the RSF issued an ultimatum to government troops to vacate the city. The ongoing conflict, which has been intensifying since April 2023, continues to pose severe risks to civilians and healthcare infrastructure, prompting humanitarian organizations to issue alerts about deteriorating conditions.