Sudan forms legal task force to prosecute RSF and foreign backers

June 10, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council and army commander, has formed a committee tasked with taking legal action on the global stage against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and any nations providing them with aid. This legal pursuit will target international courts and organizations relevant to the alleged crimes.

Amidst the ongoing conflict, the RSF has been accused of committing war crimes and atrocities, including ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, and the destruction of water sources.

According to the official news agency, SUNA, al-Burhan’s decision was announced on Monday. The committee will be chaired by the Minister of Justice and its mandate is to initiate international lawsuits against the RSF, its leaders, and any countries found to be aiding them.

Members of the committee include the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice (who will serve as alternate chairman), the Assistant Attorney General, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defense, the Director of the Police Forces, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, the Head of the Human Rights Department, the Head of Civil Affairs at the Ministry of Justice, the Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, and two representatives from the General Intelligence Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sudanese authorities have specifically accused the UAE of supplying military equipment, weapons, and funds to the RSF through Chad. They have also accused Britain of shielding the UAE by obstructing Sudan’s complaint against them at the Security Council.