THE HAGUE: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has expressed grave concern over reports of atrocities in the Sudanese city of El-Fasher, warning that the violence may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
According to the ICC prosecutor’s office, El-Fasher endured 18 months of siege, bombardment, and starvation before falling under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on October 26. This takeover marked the collapse of the Sudanese army’s last major position in Darfur.
In a statement, the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) voiced “profound alarm and deepest concern” over mass killings, sexual violence, and other crimes allegedly committed by the RSF. The OTP said, “These atrocities are part of a broader pattern of violence that has afflicted the entire Darfur region since April 2023.” It added that, if verified, such acts could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute, the founding charter of the ICC.
The United Nations estimates that more than 65,000 civilians have fled El-Fasher, with around 5,000 seeking refuge in the nearby town of Tawila, while tens of thousands remain trapped amid ongoing violence. Before the RSF assault, the city had a population of around 260,000.
Reports after the RSF’s capture indicate executions, sexual assaults, looting, and abductions of civilians and aid workers, while communications remain largely cut off.
The RSF traces its origins to the Janjaweed militia — accused of genocide in Darfur two decades ago. The renewed violence has raised fears of a return to similar atrocities.
Last month, the ICC convicted a senior Janjaweed commander for war crimes and crimes against humanity, reinforcing the court’s commitment to accountability in Sudan.
Leave a comment