ICC Unveils Disturbing Findings on War Crimes in Darfur

The ICC's investigation into the ongoing conflict in Darfur reveals serious human rights violations, including targeted sexual violence, amid a humanitarian crisis affecting millions. With the civil war intensifying, civilians face dire conditions, prompting urgent calls for accountability.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) presented shocking evidence on Thursday, indicating "reasonable grounds" to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity are being perpetrated in western Sudan. These findings were shared during a session at the United Nations Security Council, highlighting the severe human rights situation in the region, and specifically involving targeted sexual violence against women and girls of certain ethnicities. This information has sent ripples of concern across the international community.

The roots of the crisis trace back to April 2023 when conflict erupted between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leading to devastating civilian casualties that the United Nations has described as unprecedented. ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan remarked on the "incomprehensible suffering" experienced by civilians in Darfur, as the court has been designated the responsibility to investigate and prosecute crimes in the area since receiving a mandate from the UN Security Council two decades ago.

In response to the recent escalation of violence, the ICC reignited its investigations, interviewing victims who sought refuge in Chad. Ms. Khan noted an "inescapable pattern of offending" in the region, as the ICC aims to convert these allegations into prosecutable evidence. Despite persistent accusations of war crimes, the RSF has denied involvement, insisting on its non-participation in what it deems a "tribal conflict."

Reports indicate that humanitarian conditions in Darfur continue to decline, with attacks on hospitals and aid convoys becoming commonplace. Civilians in the capital, El-Fasher, are cut off from necessary aid due to armed encirclement by RSF forces, which has additionally exacerbated the outbreak of cholera in conflict-ridden zones, endangering the already limited water supplies.

The UN has reported an alarming famine escalating in the region, with UNICEF revealing that over 40,000 children were treated for severe acute malnutrition between January and May 2025—more than double the number treated in the same period the previous year. Sheldon Yett from UNICEF passionately stated, "Children in Darfur are facing starvation from conflict while being deprived of the essential aid that could save their lives."

As the conflict rages on, over 150,000 people have lost their lives, and approximately 12 million have been displaced since the fighting began. However, Ms. Khan cautioned that the dire situation may still worsen, urging for immediate international attention and action.