Prominent military figures in uniform celebrating together at a public event in Africa, showcasing leadership and unity.
A Sudanese court has sentenced Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, and 15 senior commanders to death in absentia for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide linked to atrocities in West Darfur. The ruling, which also orders the seizure of RSF assets and seeks Interpol Red Notices, marks the first judicial conviction of the RSF leadership since Sudan’s civil war began in 2023. The decision grants Sudan’s army-backed government symbolic legal and political momentum, reinforcing its narrative of accountability. In contrast, the ruling further intensifies international scrutiny of the RSF, which has dismissed the trial as a “sham.” Nevertheless, the verdict is unlikely to alter the battlefield because the paramilitary group still controls large parts of western Sudan. In the long term, the judgment could strengthen future international prosecutions and shape postwar justice efforts, but it is unlikely to end a conflict that has already killed more than 150,000 people and displaced millions.
BBC