ICC vows to hold Darfur perpetrators accountable, arrest warrants coming
UNITED NATIONS, Aug 6 (Reuters) – The International Criminal Court (ICC) is determined to seek justice for victims of atrocities in Darfur and will soon issue arrest warrants for those responsible, the court’s prosecutor said on Monday.
In a briefing to the UN Security Council on Monday َAugust 5, Karim Khan expressed regret over the “feeling that Darfur is a law-free zone” where atrocities are committed with impunity, sometimes with the support of external actors.
“But to those on the ground today in Darfur – I am addressing both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces – to those that are aiding and abetting them, that are encouraging them, that are funding them, that are supplying them with weapons, that are giving orders that are gaining certain advantages, I want to be crystal clear that we are investigating,” he said.
Khan stressed that the ICC is using its resources to investigate events since April 2023 to ensure they adhere to international humanitarian law and the principle that every human life has equal value.
This is the first time the ICC prosecutor has publicly addressed the responsibility of external actors in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Various reports have alleged the involvement of the United Arab Emirates and Chad in supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Khan also informed the council that the Sudanese government is cooperating with the ICC and has allowed a team to enter Port Sudan to investigate and collect information.
“We have managed to collect evidence, and the engagements with General Burhan and his authorities have also allowed a number of long-standing requests to be effected,” he said.
Khan added that the ICC had conducted several missions to collect testimonial evidence from Sudanese refugees who fled Darfur.
Pointing to “significant progress made,” Khan said he expects to announce applications for arrest warrants for some of those most responsible for the atrocities by his next report.
He also noted that final statements are expected this year in the case of Ali Kushayb, a leader of a local Janjaweed militia, adding: “The ICC is not a talk shop.”