As the clock ticks towards the 20th anniversary of the United Nations’ referral of the Darfur situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC), a pall of impunity shrouds Sudan. Despite the ICC’s focus on Darfur, severe human rights abuses abound across the nation, with no effective judicial avenues to hold perpetrators accountable. The international community is called upon to not only support the ICC but also empower Sudan’s citizens to find justice.
When the Security Council adopted resolution 1593 on March 31, 2005, it set a crucial precedent for addressing crimes against humanity in Darfur. However, as violence reignites with brutal acts in the ongoing conflicts since April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the ICC can only investigate those Long-standing atrocities isolated to Darfur. Independent missions may investigate, yet they lack prosecution powers—leaving victims yearning for justice.
Liz Evenson from Human Rights Watch captures the tragic cycle succinctly, stating that “the warring parties have trapped the Sudanese people once again in an impunity-fueled cycle of violence.” Warring factions continue to perpetrate war crimes and other grave violations across Sudan, thus amplifying the call for accountability, as the situation remains dire in regions like Khartoum and Darfur.
The atrocities extend to horrific acts by the RSF, from ethnic cleansing campaigns in West Darfur to acts of sexual violence in the capital. As of January 2025, investigations were anticipated to push forward with arrest warrants based on recent crimes committed since the violence escalated, but the ICC’s focus doesn’t extend beyond Darfur, exemplifying a gap in justice.
Reports from the UN’s fact-finding mission have urged the Security Council to expand ICC’s jurisdiction to include all of Sudan. Collaborative international measures must be explored to bind the ICC’s work with efforts like creating an international judiciary for Sudan while ensuring accountability is central to any justice processes.
In this critical juncture, countries should rally together to bolster justice initiatives during high-level meetings, highlighting Sudanese voices as key players in these discussions. Moreover, commitment to preserving evidence of ongoing crimes is paramount in laying the groundwork for eventual accountability and justice.
Support for civil society organisations is equally imperative, especially as funding cuts have raised alarms. Addressing the wounds inflicted by the warring parties on human rights advocates lays the foundation for collaborative efforts in securing justice.
Despite the looming trial of Ali Kosheib—rooted in crimes from over a decade ago—progress seems dismally slow. The transitional government post-al-Bashir historically missed opportunities to prioritise accountability for rights abuses, exacerbated by a military coup. The need for Sudan’s leadership to surrender ICC-wanted individuals is pressing.
Finally, as calls echo for ICC member nations to fortify the court against coercion and sanctions, notably from the United States, a unified front is needed to uphold justice and ensure that the promises made twenty years ago are not forgotten. Evenson aptly summarises the essence: “Governments should draw on the experience of the intervening decades in pursuing creative pathways to justice.” This legacy must be fulfilled, as justice is not merely an ideal but a necessity for Sudan’s restoration.
The 20th anniversary of the ICC’s Darfur referral highlights ongoing impunity in Sudan. Despite a Security Council mandate for the ICC, serious crimes continue across the nation, necessitating expanded jurisdiction and international support for justice mechanisms. Human Rights Watch calls for comprehensive justice responses and stronger commitments from global governments to uphold accountability and address human rights abuses.
The 20th anniversary of the Darfur ICC referral reveals a continued struggle for justice in Sudan amidst severe human rights violations. The lack of comprehensive judicial systems allows a troubling atmosphere of impunity to thrive. It is vital that governments come together to bolster the ICC, support Sudanese-led justice efforts, and promote accountability for atrocities in order to realise the intentions behind the international community’s initial actions.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
