Key facts
- The ICC prosecutor's office has not sought arrest warrants for crimes in Sudan's Darfur region since the war began in April 2023.
- This decision concerns alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in West Darfur.
- Karim Khan had previously stated his office was preparing arrest warrant applications for crimes in West Darfur.
- A UN report concluded the RSF committed genocide in el-Fasher, and another cited the RSF for most sexual crimes in Sudan.
- All existing ICC arrest warrants for Darfur relate to crimes from the 2003-2007 period.
The International Criminal Court's prosecutor's office has not applied for any arrest warrants related to crimes committed in Sudan's Darfur region since the war began in April 2023, despite repeated assurances that charges were imminent. This decision affects potential warrants against members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in West Darfur.
Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan had informed judges in January 2025 of his intention to file an arrest warrant application concerning these crimes, and later briefed the UN Security Council on January 27, 2025, stating his office was taking necessary steps. However, for over a year, no explanation was provided to the pretrial chamber for the delay. The three-judge panel has criticized the delay and ordered the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) to explain the reasons and provide a timeline.
Despite the lack of new charges, the ICC opened its investigation into current war crimes in July 2023. A UN fact-finding report in February concluded that the RSF committed genocide in el-Fasher, and another UN report indicated the RSF's responsibility for most sexual crimes in Sudan over the past three years. The UN Security Council has sanctioned four RSF commanders, and the US has formally accused the RSF of genocide and sanctioned its leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. All existing ICC arrest warrants for Darfur pertain to crimes from the 2003-2007 era, with four remaining unexecuted.