N’DJAMENA – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has made a breakthrough in its investigation into crimes committed during the war in Sudan’s Darfur region, with prosecutors obtaining additional, strong evidence linking alleged atrocities to leadership levels, ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan told Reuters.
Speaking after visiting Sudanese refugee camps in eastern Chad, Khan said the new evidence marks a significant advance in the court’s investigation into alleged crimes committed in Darfur.
We have got additional evidence, strong evidence, linking what is occurring in Darfur with leadership levels. We are very, very pleased to say that this is a breakthrough for us, Khan told Reuters.
Khan declined to identify which leadership the evidence relates to, saying ICC rules prevent her from disclosing whether arrest warrants have been requested or may be sought.
The ICC is investigating attacks on Al Geneina in 2023 and Al Fasher in 2025, where U.N. experts have said forces from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed crimes bearing the “hallmarks of genocide” against members of non-Arab communities. The RSF has denied deliberately targeting civilians and has said it would hold individual perpetrators accountable.
Khan said ICC investigators had gathered testimony from witnesses describing summary executions, conflict-related sexual violence and other serious abuses, adding that victims’ accounts would form a central part of future court proceedings.
The ICC has been investigating alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur since the U.N. Security Council referred the situation to the court in 2005 under Resolution 1593. No public arrest warrants have yet been issued in connection with the current conflict, which began in April 2023.
Asked whether countries accused of supporting crimes in Sudan, including the United Arab Emirates, could face ICC action, Khan said the court’s jurisdiction applies to individuals rather than states, adding that investigators are currently focused on crimes committed in Al Geneina and Al Fasher to achieve concrete judicial results. The UAE has repeatedly denied supporting the RSF.
Khan also expressed hope that countries considering withdrawing from the Rome Statute would reconsider, saying membership in the ICC system strengthens international accountability and the fight against impunity.
