UK police receive file on alleged war crimes in Sudan
Just as the UAE is being scrutinized by an international court for its possible war crimes in Sudan, it has recently emerged that similar charges are gathering against the main rebel forces fighting there.
The Metropolitan police has been handed a dossier of evidence documenting crimes committed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing war in Sudan.
As reported by Middle East Eye on May 5, the 142-page file contained documentation of numerous war crimes including killings, torture and sexual violence. The evidence was compiled by a group of lawyers and directed towards the Met police’s counterterrorism unit, SO15.
Since April 2023, RSF has been engaged in a brutal war with the Sudanese army which has led to thousands killed, and over 10 million displaced.
Numerous allegations of war crimes have been levelled against the RSF, particularly for its conduct against the Masalit, a Black African community in Sudan’s western Darfur region.
A report last year by the Raoul Wallenberg Centre declared its ethnic-based attacks on the Masalit community an act of genocide. The US has made similar accusations, sanctioning the RSF’s leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, for his role in genocide.
The dossier sent to the Met argues that the RSF leadership knew, or should have known about the crimes being committed, making them liable under international law.
Former International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge Howard Morrison has vocalised his support for the lawyers’ move, commending their ‘novel approach’ of addressing the dossier to the SO15 in an attempt to hold to account those responsible for the atrocities.
This comes as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to decide whether the UAE has violated the genocide convention through support for the RSF in a case brought by the Sudanese government.
The UAE denies Sudan’s allegations of its involvement in supporting the paramilitary group.
The RSF has been accused by the Sudanese government of crimes including genocide, forced displacement and rape. The latter allegations are supported by a report from Human Rights Watch documenting widespread sexual violence committed by the group including gang rape.
A UN report released last year meanwhile has found numerous war crimes to have been committed by both sides.
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Enter your email address and name to receive our weekly newsletter.
