ICC reports breakthrough linking RSF leaders to Darfur war crimes, investigation ongoing

What happened

The International Criminal Court (ICC) told the BBC it has found concrete evidence linking leaders of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to recent war crimes in the Darfur region, according to ICC deputy chief prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan. The ICC described its findings as a “breakthrough” in ongoing investigations of massacres in the cities of el-Fasher and el-Geneina, which erupted during the RSF’s takeover of el-Fasher last October.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The United Nations estimates that more than 6,000 people were killed during the RSF’s capture of el-Fasher, and the paramilitary group is also accused of similar killings in el-Geneina. However, the RSF has repeatedly denied widespread ethnic killings and downplayed the scale of atrocities, stating that violations did occur but were exaggerated. Khan said the ICC’s evidence includes witness testimony, videos, photographs, and forensic analysis linking specific RSF leaders to crimes against humanity.

The war in Sudan, involving clashes between RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces, has caused massive displacement and humanitarian crises, especially in Darfur. Khan noted that current patterns of violence resemble abuses from two decades ago when the ICC first began investigating the region. Despite the breakthrough, the ICC has not provided a timeline for prosecuting those responsible, acknowledging the complexity and duration of the justice process.

Known from the source

• The ICC has been investigating war crimes in Darfur for over 20 years.
• The ICC's deputy chief prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan reported a breakthrough linking RSF leaders to war crimes in el-Fasher and el-Geneina.
• More than 6,000 deaths are estimated by the UN during the RSF takeover of el-Fasher in October last year.
• The RSF denies widespread ethnic killings and claims that atrocity reports are exaggerated.
• The ICC's evidence includes witness testimony, videos, photographs, and forensic evidence.

What remains unclear

The ICC’s investigation continues amid a fragile and fluid conflict context. Khan recently visited refugee camps in eastern Chad, hearing first-hand accounts from those displaced by the fighting. Prior ICC efforts have resulted in multiple arrests and trials, including convictions related to past Darfur violence involving former Sudanese leaders and militia commanders connected to groups that evolved into the RSF. The RSF leadership has acknowledged an ongoing internal investigation into alleged atrocities but has not publicly disclosed findings.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verify specific evidence the ICC claims to have linking RSF leadership to crimes, and confirm if it includes new arrests or indictments. Confirm any official RSF statements or internal investigation results beyond denials and general ongoing probe mentions. Check updates on ICC timeline or plans for charges related to this investigation phase.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: BBC Africa Sudan. Open the source.