A Sudanese court in Port Sudan on Sunday sentenced Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader, his brothers, and several of the outfit’s commanders to death in absentia for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide over atrocities committed in the West Darfur region.
The court, presided over by Judge Al-Mu’izz Babiker, issued death sentences against the RSF commanders who were convicted under articles of the Sudanese Penal Code related to criminal offenses stemming from the events in El Geneina and the killing of Governor Khamis Abkar. This is one of the most prominent trials related to the ongoing conflict in the country.
Those sentenced include the RSF commander Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, his brothers Abdulrahim and Al-Qouni, the RSF’s West Darfur commander, Abdul Rahman Juma Barkallah, and several other commanders linked to atrocities in West Kordofan and in El Geneina, West Darfur State.
However, Al-Mu’izz Hadra, a Sudanese legal expert, described the sentences as “selective justice,” expressing his doubts about the court’s independence.
“The court emerged from the national committee formed by the head of the Sovereignty Council and army commander, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in a politically motivated manner,” he charged. “The court applied a one-sided view of justice. Were the Rapid Support Forces the only ones who committed war crimes, or were there other parties, including the army and its supporting forces and militias, who also committed violations and crimes?”
The legal expert stressed that achieving justice requires holding all parties involved in the violations accountable, ensuring that there is no impunity and upholding the principle of equality before the law.
The Rapid Support Forces have not yet issued any comment on the sentences.
Relatedly, Special Judge Mohamed Al-Amin ordered that all RSF assets be confiscated and directed that authorities seek Interpol Red Notices for the arrest and extradition of those convicted.
The impact of the sentences remains unclear, as the RSF controls large swaths of territory in the west of the country.
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