The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor announced plans to seek arrest warrants for individuals accused of committing atrocities in Sudan's West Darfur region. The ongoing conflict in Darfur, which has been ongoing for 19 months, has reportedly involved ethnic cleansing by paramilitary forces.
The prosecutor highlighted that crimes are being committed in Darfur on a daily basis and are being used as a weapon of war. This determination was made based on a thorough analysis of evidence collected by the ICC.
Two decades ago, Darfur was the site of genocide and war crimes, with up to 300,000 people killed and millions displaced. The current conflict in Darfur involves government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force, with allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
The Biden administration recently declared that the Rapid Support Force and its proxies are committing genocide in Sudan's civil war. The ICC prosecutor noted similarities between the current conflict and the events of 20 years ago, emphasizing the impact on the same communities and groups.
Human Rights Watch reported attacks by the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias against ethnic groups in West Darfur, resulting in thousands of deaths and displacements. The ICC is now taking steps to seek arrest warrants related to the alleged crimes in West Darfur, with a focus on gender-based crimes against women and girls.
The situation in Darfur has deteriorated in recent months, with increased conflict, famine, and targeted violence against children and women. The ICC prosecutor urged compliance with international humanitarian law to alleviate the suffering of the people in Darfur.
Efforts have been made to engage with the Rapid Support Force to gather relevant information for the ICC's investigations. The prosecutor emphasized the need for swift and meaningful action to address the ongoing crisis in Darfur.
