ICC Reports Disturbing Evidence of War Crimes in Darfur

The International Criminal Court (ICC) highlighted alarming findings regarding potential war crimes in Darfur, including targeted sexual violence amid a severe humanitarian crisis that has displaced 12 million people. The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has led to devastating civilian casualties, with UNICEF warning of famine impacting children.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has presented distressing evidence suggesting that war crimes and crimes against humanity are being systematically committed in western Sudan. This announcement was made at the United Nations Security Council meeting, where the ICC underscored the dire situation stemming from the ongoing conflict in Darfur. The rise in violence, particularly against women and girls of specific ethnic backgrounds, is among the key concerns raised by the ICC's investigation.

Since civil war erupted in April 2023, following escalating tensions between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the United Nations has noted catastrophic civilian casualties. ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan emphasized the extraordinary suffering experienced in the region, as her team collaborates to gather evidence for judicial proceedings against those responsible for these atrocities.

The ICC has had a mandate to investigate crimes in Darfur since approximately 2002, and a renewed effort was initiated in 2023 to address the resurgence of conflict. Following interviews with refugees in neighboring Chad, a troubling pattern of violence, including allegations of genocide committed by the RSF, has started to emerge. Though the RSF refutes these claims, citing a "tribal conflict" rather than a broader genocide.

The humanitarian situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate, with the UN reporting that hospitals and humanitarian convoys have faced deliberate attacks, and vital resources like food and water are increasingly withheld from civilians. The siege around El-Fasher has reportedly cut off aid to its residents, while cholera outbreaks threaten to exacerbate the already precarious water supply.

The impact on children is particularly severe, as UNICEF reports over 40,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition between January and May 2025 — a significant increase from the previous year. Sheldon Yett from UNICEF lamented that countless children face starvation and a lack of lifesaving assistance due to the conflict.

The staggering death toll from the violence has surpassed 150,000 within the last two years, prompting dire warnings from officials like Ms. Khan, who stated, "We should not be under any illusion - things can still get worse." The exceptional challenges in Darfur underscore the urgent need for international attention and action to address this ongoing crisis.