ICC Investigates War Crimes in Sudan Amidst Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis

The International Criminal Court (ICC) indicated that there are "reasonable grounds" to believe war crimes and crimes against humanity are being perpetrated in western Sudan. The ICC's findings highlight alarming instances of targeted violence, particularly against women and girls. As the violence escalates between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the plight of millions of displaced individuals continues to worsen, with calls for justice emphasizing the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced that it has "reasonable grounds" to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity are being committed in western Sudan. This assertion was made during a presentation to the United Nations Security Council, shedding light on the grave situation in the region. The ICC's investigations, which have uncovered evidence of targeted sexual violence against women and girls of specific ethnicities, reveal a disturbing trend in the ongoing conflict.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in violent clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), resulting in significant civilian casualties, described by the United Nations as devastating. ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan expressed her difficulty in finding words to encapsulate the level of suffering experienced by the affected populations. With over 7,000 pieces of evidence collected thus far, Ms. Khan commended the courageous survivors for their willingness to testify about the atrocities they have endured.

The ICC was mandated by the UN Security Council to investigate and prosecute crimes in Darfur over two decades ago and has reopened investigations following the recent escalation of conflict between the army and RSF. Victims fleeing the violence in Darfur have provided their testimonies in neighboring Chad, as investigators work relentlessly to compile evidence for prosecution. Ms. Khan warned of an "inescapable pattern of offending," highlighting that those responsible for these crimes presently may feel a sense of impunity. Nevertheless, she assured that the ICC is committed to bringing many of these perpetrators to justice.

Ongoing allegations of war crimes have persisted, with the US government categorizing the RSF and its associated militias as responsible for committing genocide against the non-Arab population in the region. The RSF has vehemently denied these allegations, framing the conflict as a "tribal conflict." The situation in Darfur has reportedly worsened, with humanitarian efforts severely impacted; hospitals and aid convoys have faced targeted attacks, and there are reports of food and water being deliberately withheld from civilians.

"Rape and sexual violence are being weaponised," asserted ICC Deputy Prosecutor Khan during her address, pointing to abductions for ransom and recruitment into armed groups as common offenses. In the city of el-Fasher, residents have been cut off from vital aid due to a siege by RSF forces, while a cholera outbreak poses a further threat to already limited water resources.

An escalating famine is gripping the region, with UNICEF reporting that over 40,000 children received treatment for severe acute malnutrition from January to May 2025—more than double the number in the same timeframe the previous year. Sheldon Yett from UNICEF expressed grave concerns, stating, "Children in Darfur are being starved by conflict and cut off from the very aid that could save them."

In total, more than 150,000 lives have been lost due to the conflict over the past two years, with around 12 million people displaced. Ms. Khan cautioned that the situation could deteriorate even further, urging the international community to acknowledge the gravity of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan.