Sudan to prosecute politicians, RSF leaders in absentia
September 21, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s attorney general said on Saturday he would prosecute politicians and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leaders in absentia if they fail to appear in court.
Arrest warrants have been issued for leaders of the leaders of the Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces “Tagadum” coalition, including its former chairman and former prime minister Abdallah Hamdok, on charges of collaborating with the RSF.
The Tagadum leaders say the charges are politically motivated.
Attorney General Al-Fateh Tayfour told Sudan TV that the public prosecutor had “issued extradition requests for 346 fugitive accused individuals who are symbols of the rebellion – referring to the RSF – and a red notice against 16 supporters of the rebellion.”
“Engaging in politics or any profession does not protect one from appearing before the law,” he said. “Anyone who is part of the rebellion will be prosecuted.”
The Sudanese military government has accused Tagadum of supporting the paramilitary group in its ongoing conflict with the army. The civilian coalition has firmly denied these allegations.
The attorney expected cooperation from countries hosting those wanted by Sudan.
Sudanese courts have ruled on 159 cases referred to them by the public prosecutor against people accused of collaborating with the RSF, issuing sentences ranging from long-term imprisonment to execution.
The attorney general said investigations were ongoing with 105 mercenaries belonging to 12 countries who were apprehended by the army during the war.
He said the National Human Rights Commission had received 18,950 reports of RSF violations and referred 273 of them to the courts.
He accused the RSF of committing 966 cases of sexual violence and sexual slavery, calling on those who were raped to report the crimes.
Tayfour said 37,500 vehicles had been looted from Khartoum and other areas and that the RSF occupied 454,000 civilian properties, converting some into military barracks.
The RSF is accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.