A special anti-terrorism and state security crimes court in Port Sudan on Monday formally charged Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), his brothers Abdel Rahim and al-Qouni Dagalo, and 13 other defendants with genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and looting in connection with the killing of former West Darfur Governor Khamis Abdullah Abakar.
Presided over by Judge Ma’moun al-Khawas, the court ruled that the April 15, 2023, attack on El Geneina was led by Hemedti and targeted the Masalit ethnic group, resulting in thousands of deaths, the displacement of hundreds of thousands to Chad, and the brutal killing and mutilation of Governor Abakar.
The court accused Abdel Rahim Dagalo, the RSF’s deputy commander, and al-Qouni Dagalo, its economic chief, of criminal participation in planning and executing the attack, along with committing atrocities against civilians and their property.
It further stated that defendant Abdul Rahman Jumma led the direct assault on El Geneina, oversaw the execution of the governor, and perpetrated acts of genocide against the Masalit, including killing 15,000 people and burying some alive.
Defendants five through sixteen were charged with reinforcing the attack, committing rape, torture, and forced displacement, while the final defendant, Abdul Munim Abdul Mahmoud (“al-Rabie”), was accused of inciting the killing of Governor Abakar via a live broadcast on social media.
The court said the charges were based on strong evidence and witness testimony, despite the absence of the defendants and their defense teams. The case will be reserved for judgment following the final witness statement.
The National Committee for the Investigation of Crimes and Violations of National and International Humanitarian Law had conducted extensive investigations and gathered sufficient evidence for the court to proceed with the indictments. The Public Prosecution filed the charges before referring the case to court for trial.
The ruling was issued in absentia, with the prosecution represented by members of the national investigative committee.
