ICC Warns against “Breaking Point” in Sudan
Agencies – Sudan Events
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has warned against the dire humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Sudan, saying, “We are rapidly approaching the breaking point,” and warned that the conflict requires the attention of Security Council members now more than ever.
Khan briefed the Security Council, speaking from Chad via closed TV circuit , Monday, during which he reviewed his 38th report on the situation in Sudan and the investigation into allegations of crimes being committed in Darfur. The ongoing investigation includes recent crimes, such as those committed in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur. Other areas of Darfur also received great attention from the Office.
The prosecutor said that the failure of the international community to implement the court’s arrest warrents and the subsequent lack of accountability lead to fueling the violence resulting from the war between the armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
He stressed that the “bitter and inescapable truth” is that failure to act now will expose future generations to similar fate, stressed the need to exert more efforts, and urged Sudan to comply in good faith with Security Council resolutions, cooperate with his office, provide the required information, and allow investigators to work.
Khan said that there are reasons to believe that the crimes stipulated in the Rome Statute – genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity – are being committed in Darfur by the armed forces and the RSF and their affiliated groups.
He revealed that he heard chilling testimonies in Chad, during his meeting with Darfuri refugee leaders to listen to their statements of the violence they suffered in Darfur.
Khan stressed that providing justice and protection to people in Darfur is a collective responsibility, and that they are making every effort to work with Council members, with regional organizations, with civil society, with Sudan, with Chad, and with anyone to ensure that justice is served.
Khan said that the people of Darfur fear a real danger that the situation in Darfur could become a forgotten atrocity as conflicts erupt in other parts of the world.
