The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor has made a public appeal for information and evidence regarding the ongoing atrocities in Sudan. The prosecutor expressed deep concern over the organized and systematic attacks on human dignity that have been unfolding in the region.
The recent attack by the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group on a hospital in Darfur has further highlighted the severity of the situation. The group's actions, which included firing shots and looting the hospital, have raised alarm bells among humanitarian organizations.
The conflict in Sudan, which began last year, has resulted in the deaths of over 14,000 people and has pushed the population to the brink of famine. More than 10 million people have been displaced, with over 2 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
The ICC prosecutor emphasized the urgent need for investigation in Sudan, citing credible reports of attacks on civilians, including those in internally displaced persons camps. The use of rape and other forms of sexual violence, shelling of civilian areas, looting of properties, and attacks on hospitals have been consistently reported.
Notably, the ICC has been investigating atrocities in Sudan for some time, with arrest warrants issued for former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for alleged genocide in Darfur between 2003-2008. The Rapid Support Forces, originally formed from Arab militias known as Janjaweed, have been implicated in mass killings and other atrocities.
The prosecutor warned against allowing history to repeat itself in Darfur, stressing the need to prevent the region from becoming a forgotten atrocity once again.
