The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) prosecutor, Karim Khan, has called for urgent international action to address worsening atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur region, news outlet Arab News reported.
Speaking to the UN Security Council, Khan highlighted a dire situation marked by violence, famine, and gender-based crimes, particularly targeting women and children. He reported a significant deterioration over the past six months, with rising civilian casualties, destroyed infrastructure, and widespread human rights violations.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has claimed over 28,000 lives and displaced millions. In Darfur, ethnic violence has intensified, with the RSF targeting non-Arab communities, echoing past genocidal campaigns.
Khan’s office has gathered substantial evidence of crimes under the Rome Statute, including killings, gender-based violence, and attacks on civilians. The ICC is finalizing arrest warrants for suspects, emphasizing the need for strong evidence to ensure convictions.
Despite challenges, Khan urged greater cooperation from Sudanese authorities and renewed UN support to bridge the “impunity gap.” He called for the transfer of suspects wanted by the ICC for alleged crimes in Darfur.
