In brief
The ICC has uncovered credible evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, revealing targeted violence and dire humanitarian conditions.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has reported substantial evidence indicating the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, western Sudan. During an address to the United Nations Security Council, ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan highlighted the alarming levels of targeted sexual violence against women and girls belonging to specific ethnic groups as a particularly disturbing aspect of their investigations. The resumption of hostilities between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023 has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, resulting in widespread civilian suffering, according to the United Nations. Khan described the region's trauma as so profound that it was challenging to articulate adequately. Tasked with investigating crimes in Darfur since a mandate was issued two decades ago, the ICC has opened multiple probes into allegations of war crimes and genocide since July 2002. Amidst the renewed civil war in 2023, the ICC launched another investigation, interviewing victims who had fled to Chad to escape the violence. Khan noted an "inescapable pattern of offending," urging that efforts now be focused on transforming these atrocities into actionable evidence for prosecution. Claims of war crimes have persisted, with reports indicating that the RSF and its affiliated militias may have perpetrated genocide, a conclusion drawn by U.S. authorities in January 2025. Yet, the RSF refutes these accusations, characterizing the unrest as a "tribal conflict" rather than a widespread assault on civilians. In recent reports from the UN, the situation in Darfur has rapidly deteriorated: essential medical services and humanitarian deliveries are under siege, while crucial resources, including food and water, are frequently withheld. In the capital, El-Fasher, armed blockade by RSF forces has entirely cut off aid access, raising alarms over widespread cholera outbreaks that threaten scarce water supplies. The ongoing famine further complicates relief efforts, with UNICEF reporting a staggering number of over 40,000 children treated for severe acute malnutrition between January and May 2025—an increase of more than 100% compared to the previous year. UNICEF representative Sheldon Yett emphasized the heartbreaking reality that children are condemned to starvation amid conflict and lack of aid. In just two years, the violence has claimed over 150,000 lives, and an estimated 12 million individuals have been displaced. Khan cautioned, "We should not be under any illusion—things can still get worse." The eyes of the international community remain on this tumultuous region, as the dire needs of the civilian population continue to mount.
