January 28, 2025 Agencies – Darfur24 Karim Khan, Chief Prosecutor of International Court (ICC), stated that the past six months have seen further decline into suffering and misery for the people of Darfur, “with famine ongoing, conflict intensifying, children being targeted, and girls and women being subjected to rape.”
In his briefing to the United Nations Security Council, Khan added that this decline is accelerating today and yesterday in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, pointing to serious allegations of targeting more innocent civilians and launching attacks on vital civilian targets such as hospitals.
He said that international crimes are undoubtedly being committed in Darfur and that these crimes are used daily as weapons of war. He added that his statements are not merely an analysis of the situation but are based on evidence and information.
ICC Chief Prosecutor expressed particular concern over the targeting of women and girls and allegations of gender-based crimes. He emphasized that addressing this issue is a priority, and his office has been trying to respond effectively to the situation on the ground over the past six months by improving efficiency and responsiveness.
This was done by being present in Chad and other neighboring countries of Sudan, where the office gathered evidence from displaced communities about their experiences and conducted interviews with witnesses.
Khan stated that his office has expanded the scope and quantity of evidence collected from digital sources and videos, using technological tools to gain better insights into the connections between the alleged perpetrators, their operational structures, and crime patterns.
The Chief Prosecutor said that his office is taking necessary steps to submit requests for arrest warrants concerning crimes alleged to have been committed in West Darfur. He confirmed that these requests would only be made after obtaining strong evidence to ensure the likelihood of convictions.
He stressed the need for greater cooperation in apprehending fugitives from the ICC, including former Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir and other senior officials accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Khan called on the Security Council to act decisively to address the escalating atrocities in Darfur and emphasized the urgent need to ensure justice and accountability amid the increasing violence and humanitarian suffering.
He urged the fifteen council members to reaffirm their commitment to the principles outlined in Security Council Resolution 1593, adopted 20 years ago, which referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC.