Ongoing Genocide of Non-Arab Populations in Darfur, Sudan Reported
In a recent report, human rights experts have declared that the ongoing conflict in Sudan's Darfur region has escalated a pre-existing humanitarian crisis into an emergency of unprecedented and global magnitude. The report, which has been endorsed by prominent human rights experts, suggests that the war may have reached the level of genocide, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the United Nations strongly suspecting ongoing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possibly genocide by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) has gathered substantial evidence indicating a wide range of these crimes, including killings, attacks on displaced persons’ camps, indiscriminate targeting of civilians, gender-based crimes, and crimes against children, all occurring amid the conflict that escalated in April 2023. The ICC Prosecutor has highlighted that the pattern of crimes and targeted groups in the current conflict resembles those from the earlier 2003 Darfur conflict, which initially triggered ICC involvement. Arrest warrant applications are being prepared for crimes alleged in West Darfur, emphasising a strong push for accountability, barring realistic prospects of conviction. The ICC prosecutor also stresses the necessity of transferring individuals like Ahmad Harun to ICC custody for trials linked to these crimes.
The RSF, a paramilitary force that originated from the Janjaweed militias accused of causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Sudanese in the first decade of the 21st century, is believed to be the primary perpetrator in the current conflict. Some states, notably the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have been reported to finance the RSF, which may perpetuate political violence and enable the RSF’s actions in Darfur. US officials, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have recognised the persecution of Darfuris as a “real genocide,” drawing attention to complicity in enabling these forces.
The UAE is the Sudanese paramilitary's main patron, with the supply of arms to the RSF also facilitated by Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar. The RSF's actions in Darfur are described by the Raoul Wallenberg Centre as the "inevitable result of an ongoing culture of impunity in Darfur." Women across Darfur, including minors, have been victims of sexual assault by men wearing RSF uniforms. The paramilitary force has denied that it is being supplied by the UAE and rejected accusations that it is waging an ethnically motivated campaign of violence in Darfur.
The humanitarian situation in Darfur remains dire, with ongoing attacks killing civilians, including children. Middle East Eye has reported on the network of supply lines that exist to funnel arms and other goods from the UAE to the RSF. The war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has displaced over eight million people and left 18 million "acutely food insecure," according to the UN's World Food Programme.
The Raoul Wallenberg Centre argues that there is clear evidence to conclude that the RSF is continuing the ethnically motivated genocide perpetrated by the Janjaweed against non-Arab groups in Darfur, including the Fur and Zaghawa. The independent inquiry found clear and convincing evidence that the RSF paramilitary and its allied militias have committed and are committing genocide against the Masalit. The report concludes that the RSF and allied militias have committed and are committing direct and public incitement to genocide.
All 153 states that have signed the Genocide Convention are obligated to end complicity in and employ all means reasonably available to prevent and halt the genocide. The international community continues to press for accountability despite resource challenges and obstruction attempts. The ICC and the UN are determined to bring those responsible for these atrocities to justice, ensuring that the victims receive the justice they deserve and preventing further escalation of the crisis in Darfur.
- The humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan, has become an unprecedented emergency, as declared by human rights experts, due to the escalation of the ongoing conflict.
- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has gathered evidence indicating a wide range of crimes, including killings, gender-based crimes, and crimes against children, perhaps reaching the level of genocide.
- The RSF, a Sudanese paramilitary force, is believed to be the primary perpetrator in the current Darfur conflict, with some states like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) financially supporting the RSF, potentially perpetuating political violence.
- The war in Darfur has displaced over eight million people and left 18 million acutely food insecure, according to the UN's World Food Programme.
- The Raoul Wallenberg Centre argues that the RSF is continuing the ethnically motivated genocide that the Janjaweed perpetrated against non-Arab groups in Darfur, including the Fur and Zaghawa, and committed direct and public incitement to genocide.
- The international community, including the ICC and the UN, continues to press for accountability to bring those responsible for the atrocities in Darfur to justice and prevent further escalation of the crisis.
