Latest news with #JanjaweedArab
The Independent
06-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Sudan files case to UN court alleging UAE is breaching genocide convention by funding rebels
Sudan filed a case at the top United Nations court accusing the United Arab Emirates of breaching the genocide convention by arming and funding the rebel paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces in Sudan's deadly war, the court announced Thursday. The International Court of Justice said in a statement that Sudan's case, filed Wednesday, concerns acts allegedly perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias including 'genocide, murder, theft of property, rape, forcible displacement, trespassing, vandalism of public properties, and violation of human rights' targeting the Masalit people. Sudan alleges that the UAE was 'complicit in the genocide on the Masalit through its direction of and provision of extensive financial, political, and military support for the rebel RSF militia,' the court said. The United Arab Emirates did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sudan also asked the court to impose urgent interim orders known as provisional measures on the UAE, including doing all it can to prevent the killing and other crimes targeting the Masalit. Sudan descended into a deadly conflict in mid-April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary rebels broke out in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other regions. The war has killed more than 24,000 people and driven over 14 million people — about 30% of the population — from their homes, according to the United Nations. An estimated 3.2 million Sudanese have escaped to neighboring countries. The case at the world court was announced less than two weeks after the Rapid Support Forces and its allies signed a charter that paved the way for the establishment of a parallel government, following recent advances by Sudan's army against the rival groups. The group Conflict Observatory, which is funded by the U.S. State Department and has been monitoring the war in Sudan, has identified aircraft it says carried UAE arms transfers to the RSF. Those flights went through Aéroport International Maréchal Idriss Deby in Amdjarass, Chad — flights the UAE has claimed have been for supporting a local hospital. In January, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, also known as Hemedti, had been targeted for sanctions along with seven RSF-owned companies in the United Arab Emirates, including one handling gold likely smuggled out of Sudan. That came as the U.S. declared the RSF are committing genocide. The UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and a U.S. ally, has been repeatedly accused of arming the RSF, something it has strenuously denied despite evidence to the contrary. Two decades ago, the Sudanese region of Darfur became synonymous with genocide and war crimes, particularly by the notorious Janjaweed Arab militias, against populations that identify as Central or East African. Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes. Rulings by the International Court of Justice, also known as the world court, take years to reach and are legally binding. ____
Associated Press
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
UN official says Sudan paramilitary group is preventing life-saving aid from famine-hit Darfur
CAIRO (AP) — Paramilitary forces at war with the military in Sudan are preventing life-saving aid from reaching many people in the famine-hit Darfur region, the United Nations' top humanitarian official in the country said Monday. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the U.N. resident and humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, said in a statement that the Rapid Support Forces have imposed 'obstruction, undue interference and operational restrictions' on aid supplies to areas under their control, especially in Darfur. The RSF and their allied militias control most of that western region. 'The persistent restrictions and bureaucratic hurdles …. are preventing life-saving assistance from reaching those in desperate need,' she said. There was no immediate comment from the RSF. The restrictions, implemented by the RSF's affiliate Sudanese Agency for Relief and Humanitarian Operations, include 'demands for logistical support or mandatory engagement with selected vendors that risk corruption and aid diversion,' Nkweta-Salami said. On Sunday evening, a performer at the Super Bowl halftime show in the U.S. unfurled a banner including the word 'Sudan' in an apparent attempt to draw attention to the often-overlooked war from the event's massive audience. The conflict in Sudan started in April 2023 when tensions between the leaders of the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and other cities across the African country. The conflict has killed more than 28,000 people, forced millions to flee their homes and left some families eating grass in an attempt to survive as famine sweeps parts of the country. Aid groups say they struggle to reach the most vulnerable as warring parties limit access, especially in Darfur. Famine has been detected in at least five areas, including three camps for displaced people in Darfur, according to the Integrated Food Security Classification. In its December report, the IPC warned that famine was spreading, and five other areas in Darfur have been projected to experience famine in coming months. The war has created the world's largest displacement crisis, driving over 14 million people — about 30% of the population — from their homes, according to the U.N. Of them, an estimated 3.2 million have crossed into neighboring countries including Chad, Egypt and South Sudan. The war has been marked by atrocities including ethnically motivated killing and rape, according to the U.N. and rights groups. The International Criminal Court has said it was investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Biden administration, before it left office last month, determined that the RSF and its proxies are committing genocide. ICC prosecutor Karin Khan told the U.N. Security Council in January that there are 'very clear echoes' in the current conflict of what happened 20 years ago. Back then, Darfur became synonymous with genocide and war crimes, particularly by the Janjaweed Arab militias, against populations that identify as Central or East African. Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes. The RSF grew out of the Janjaweed militias.
Euronews
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
ICC to pursue arrest warrants over atrocities in Sudan's West Darfur region
The International Criminal Court's (ICC) prosecutor announced on Monday that his office will pursue arrest warrants for individuals accused of atrocities in Sudan's West Darfur region, where reports of ethnic cleansing by paramilitary forces have emerged during the country's 19-month-long conflict. Karim Khan told the UN Security Council on Monday that "criminality is accelerating in Darfur" and emphasised the need for justice and accountability. "Civilians are being targeted, women and girls are subjected to sexual violence, and entire communities are left in destruction," he said. "This is not just an assessment; it is a hard-edged analysis based on verified evidence." Sudan's conflict erupted in April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other regions, including the vast western Darfur region. Darfur became synonymous with genocide and war crimes two decades ago, particularly by the notorious Janjaweed Arab militias, against populations that identify as Central or East African. Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million forced to flee their homes. The ICC prosecutor told the council on Monday that the current conflict bears 'very clear echoes' to the events that occurred 20 years ago in Darfur. "The pattern of crimes, the perpetrators, the parties, tracked very closely with the same protagonists, the same targeted groups as existed in 2003," Khan said. "It's the same communities, the same groups suffering, a new generation suffering the same hell that has been endured by other generations of Darfuris, and this is tragic." Khan told the council earlier this month there were grounds to believe that both government forces and the RSF, which was born out of the Janjaweed, may be committing war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide in Darfur. The Biden administration, shortly before it left office this month, determined that the RSF and its proxies are committing genocide in Sudan's civil war. Gender-based violence is 'a priority' Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report last May that the RSF and allied militias carried out attacks on the ethnic Masalit and other non-Arab groups in West Darfur's El Geneina from April to June 2023, with violence intensifying in November. According to HRW, thousands were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced during the attacks. 'I can confirm today that my office is taking the necessary steps to put forward applications for warrants of arrest in relation to crimes we allege are being committed and have been committed in West Darfur,' Khan told the council. Khan stated that his office is particularly concerned about allegations of gender-based crimes against women and girls, calling them a 'priority' for ICC investigations. He described a worsening humanitarian crisis over the last six months, with famine, escalating conflict, sexual abuse of girls and women, and widespread destruction ravaging Darfur. Addressing those involved in the violence, Khan urged: "Now, better late than never, for goodness sake, comply with international humanitarian law, not as a charity, not out of some political necessity, but out of the dictates of humanity." Khan also revealed that his office is engaging with the RSF to gather relevant information for its investigations. Members of his team met with RSF representatives last week, and Khan emphasised the need for "swift and meaningful action," stating he would closely monitor developments.
The Guardian
28-01-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants over accusations of Darfur atrocities
The prosecutor for the international criminal court has said he is seeking arrest warrants for people accused of atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region, where the US and others have determined that a paramilitary group and its allies have perpetrated genocide. Karim Khan told the UN security council in New York: 'Criminality is accelerating in Darfur. Civilians are being targeted, women and girls are subjected to sexual violence, and entire communities are left in destruction. 'This is not just an assessment; it is a hard-edged analysis based on verified evidence.' Khan said ICC lawyers had made material progress by interviewing witnesses who had fled Sudan. Sudan plunged into conflict in mid-April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary leaders broke out in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other regions, including the vast western Darfur region. Two decades ago, Darfur became synonymous with genocide and war crimes, particularly by the notorious Janjaweed Arab militias, against populations that identify as central or east African. Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes. Khan said there were very clear echoes now of what happened 20 years ago. 'The pattern of crimes, the perpetrators, the parties, tracked very closely with the same protagonists, the same targeted groups as existed in 2003,' he said. 'It's the same communities, the same groups suffering, a new generation suffering the same hell that has been endured by other generations of Darfuris, and this is tragic.' He gave no details on Monday night on the specific crimes or the people the ICC wants arrested. In January Khan told the council there were grounds to believe both government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which was born out of the Janjaweed, may be committing war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide in Darfur. Witnesses and rights groups have said the RSF targeted Masalit and other non-Arab groups in ethnically targeted attacks in Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state, in 2023. In an attempt to show the impact the ICC could have on the crisis, Khan highlighted the completion of the recent trial of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-al-Rahman, accused of 31 war crimes between 2003 and 2004 as the leader of the Janjaweed militia. He handed himself into custody in June 2020 and his trial in The Hague was completed last December pending sentence. Arrest warrants remain outstanding for Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese president until 2019, Abdel Hussein, the former president's representative in Darfur and Abdel Harun, the former minister of the interior. Khan's intervention came as the UN secretary general, António Guterres, condemned the 24 January attack on the Saudi teaching hospital in El Fasher in North Darfur, the only functioning hospital in Darfur's largest city. At least 70 patients and their relatives were reportedly killed, and dozens more injured in what may have been a drone strike. The Trump administration may adopt a more robust approach to Sudan, one of the five signatories to the Abraham accords, the normalisation deal with Israel that Donald Trump still cherishes. The new US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has confirmed he regards recent events in Darfur as a genocide, a term deployed by the Biden administration in its final days. Rubio also openly accused the United Arab Emirates of funding the RSF, which the UAE denies. The US treasury last month imposed sanctions on Capital Tap Holding LL.C a UAE-based holding company that manages 50 companies in 10 countries. It also placed sanctions on Creative Python, a UAE firm that was described as the procurement arm of the RSF. The UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, last week went to the Sudan-Chad border to be briefed on the humanitarian crisis, and plans to hold a foreign ministers' meeting on Sudan in the next few months. He cannot describe what has happened as a genocide since UK policy is for courts rather than ministers to make such determinations. The timetable for some diplomats may be overrun by events on the ground. Large numbers of RSF fighters have been seeking through January to encircle El Fasher, and are now less than 2 miles (3km) from the Zamzam camp for internally displaced people, according to a report from the Yale School of Public Health's Humanitarian Research Lab, an acknowledged tracker of the war's progress. The Zamzam camp is home to as many as 500,000 displaced people, and the World Food Programme has been battling to prevent a full-scale famine there. The Trump team is being urged to appoint a special envoy for the horn of Africa, and to review its decision to freeze all US aid for six months pending a review, a move that Democratic senators such as Chris Murphy said would lead to malnourished babies in Sudan dying in weeks. The US was the largest donor of humanitarian aid to the Sudan response, providing more than $1.4bn (£1.1bn) in humanitarian assistance since October 2022, including more than $980m in USAid funding.
Voice of America
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
ICC prosecutor seeking arrest warrants for those accused of atrocities in Sudan's West Darfur
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court announced Monday that his office will be seeking arrest warrants for those accused of atrocities in Sudan's West Darfur region, which has seen reported ethnic cleansing by paramilitary forces that have been fighting government forces for 19 months. Karim Khan told the U.N. Security Council that crimes are being committed in Darfur 'as we speak and daily' and are being used as a weapon of war. He said that conclusion is the result of 'a hard-edged analysis' based on evidence and information collected by his office. Sudan plunged into conflict in mid-April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary leaders broke out in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other regions, including the vast western Darfur region. Two decades ago, Darfur became synonymous with genocide and war crimes, particularly by the notorious Janjaweed Arab militias, against populations that identify as Central or East African. Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes. Khan told the council in January there were grounds to believe both government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force, which was born out of the Janjaweed, may be committing war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide in Darfur. The Biden administration, just before it left office this month, determined that the RSF and its proxies are committing genocide in Sudan's civil war. And the ICC prosecutor told the council Monday that there are 'very clear echoes' in the current conflict of what happened 20 years ago. 'The pattern of crimes, the perpetrators, the parties, tracked very closely with the same protagonists, the same targeted groups as existed in 2003' and led the Security Council to refer Darfur to the ICC, Khan said. 'It's the same communities, the same groups suffering, a new generation suffering the same hell that has been endured by other generations of Darfuris, and this is tragic.' Human Rights Watch in a major report last May said the Rapid Support Forces and their allied militias carried out attacks against the ethnic Masalit and other non-Arab groups in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state, from April to June 2023, with attacks intensifying that November. At least thousands of people were killed and hundreds of thousands displaced during the attacks, according to the report by the leading rights group. 'I can confirm today that my office is taking the necessary steps to put forward applications for warrants of arrest in relations to crimes we allege are being committed and have been committed in West Darfur," Khan told the council on Monday. He gave no details on the specific crimes or the people the ICC wants arrested. But he did say his office is particularly concerned about a stream of allegations of gender crimes against women and girls, which he said were 'a priority' for the ICC. He said the last six months have seen 'a tailspin into deeper suffering, deeper misery for the people of Darfur," with famine present, conflict increasing, children targeted, girls and women subjected to rape and the whole landscape 'one of destruction.' Khan had a simple message for those on the ground in El Geneina in West Darfur, the city of El Fasher in North Darfur, which is besieged by RSF forces, and elsewhere in Darfur: 'Now, better late than never, for goodness sake, comply with international humanitarian law, not as a charity, not out of some political necessity, but out of the dictates of humanity.' Khan told the council he made efforts to engage with the RSF to obtain information relevant to the ICC's investigations, and members of his office met with representatives of the paramilitary force last week. 'I do expect, and hope, and require swift and meaningful action, and will be monitoring that,' he said.
