ICC Alleges War Crimes in Sudan Amid Escalating Humanitarian Crisis

As the humanitarian situation in Sudan deteriorates, the ICC claims there are reasonable grounds to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity are occurring, including targeted sexual violence and the weaponization of rape. With millions displaced, the international community is urged to take action.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has presented strong evidence suggesting that war crimes and crimes against humanity are taking place in western Sudan, as reported during a session at the United Nations Security Council. ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan stated there are "reasonable grounds" for these allegations, emphasizing the extensive suffering caused by the ongoing conflict that erupted between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023.

A significant finding from the ICC’s investigations includes the alarming use of targeted sexual violence against women and girls of certain ethnic backgrounds. The report highlighted that the suffering in the region is profound, drawing on testimonies from over 7,000 evidence items collected thus far. Deputy Prosecutor Khan commended the courage of survivors who shared their harrowing stories, noting that the evidence indicates a chilling pattern of abuse.

The UN Security Council initially authorized the ICC to investigate potential war crimes in Darfur two decades ago, with multiple investigations ongoing concerning war crimes and genocide since July 2002. In light of the renewed conflict sparked by the army and RSF clash, the ICC launched new inquiries earlier in 2023, interviewing victims who escaped to neighboring Chad.

Despite the ICC’s investigations, impunity persists among perpetrators in Darfur, with many potentially believing they are beyond reach of justice. Khan expressed determination to ensure accountability, indicating that efforts are underway to bring numerous offenders before the court to face their actions in the region.

The claims of genocide against non-Arab populations by the RSF and associated militias were previously validated by the US in January 2025, though the RSF contends its involvement amounts to a "tribal conflict."

Reports from the UN paint a grim picture of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, where hospitals and aid convoys are under siege, and essential resources are withheld. Khan described the situation as one where "rape and sexual violence are being weaponized," further complicating humanitarian efforts.

Currently, civilians in the city of el-Fasher are cut off from aid due to RSF besieging forces, contributing to rising cholera outbreaks in conflict-affected areas, threatening already limited water supplies. Moreover, children are facing severe malnutrition, with UNICEF stating that more than 40,000 children were treated for severe acute malnutrition from January to May 2025, a stark increase from the previous year.

As the conflict toll mounts, with over 150,000 deaths documented in the last two years and around 12 million people displaced, Deputy Prosecutor Khan cautions that conditions may deteriorate further, urging the international community not to lose sight of the ongoing crisis.