Sudanese Court Issues Death Sentences in Absentia for RSF Leadership
On Sunday, a court operating under the Sudanese army’s authority in Port Sudan handed down death sentences in absentia to Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, widely known as “Hemedti,” and 15 other individuals. The ruling, reported by the state news agency SUNA, marks the first judicial action against the leadership of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since the armed clash between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) erupted in April 2023.
Background of the Sudanese Conflict
The current war stems from a power struggle that followed the October 2021 military coup, in which General Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan (SAF) and Daglo (RSF) jointly seized power, derailing Sudan’s transition to civilian rule. Disagreements over the integration of the RSF into the regular army sparked open hostilities in mid‑2023, leading to a protracted conflict that has:
- Resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
- Displaced more than 11 million people internally and across borders.
- Triggered what the UN describes as the world’s largest displacement and hunger crisis, with over 20 million people facing acute food insecurity.
Details of the Port Sudan Verdict
The court, which operates under the judiciary subordinate to the SAF, convicted Daglo and his co‑defendants of:
- War crimes
- Crimes against humanity
- Genocide
- Attacks on civilians and public facilities
The primary case concerns the assassination of West Darfur Governor Khamis Abbakar on 10 June 2023, shortly after RSF forces seized the state capital, El‑Geneina. Abbakar had publicly accused the RSF and allied militias of conducting attacks on civilian populations just hours before his killing.
According to a UN‑commissioned expert panel, the violence that followed the fall of El‑Geneina led to the deaths of between 10,000 and 15,000 individuals, the majority belonging to the Massalit ethnic group. The panel’s findings, released in late 2023, were cited by the court as part of its evidentiary basis.
Reactions from the RSF and International Community
The RSF has consistently denied allegations of genocide and other war crimes, labeling the court’s proceedings as politically motivated. In a statement released via its official channels, the group asserted that the verdict lacks judicial independence and warned that it could further destabilize peace efforts.
International actors have responded with cautious optimism. The United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) urged all parties to respect due process and called for an independent investigation into the alleged atrocities. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented patterns of indiscriminate attacks, sexual violence, and forced displacement attributable to both the SAF and RSF, emphasizing the need for accountability mechanisms that transcend national courts.
Implications for Justice and Peace
While the death sentences in absentia may serve as a symbolic move by the SAF‑aligned judiciary, experts note that enforcing such rulings faces practical challenges. The convicted individuals remain at large, and the court indicated it would seek their arrest and extradition through Interpol and other international channels.
Analysts suggest that a comprehensive peace process must address accountability alongside humanitarian relief and political reconciliation. The African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have repeatedly called for a cease‑fire and an inclusive dialogue that tackles the root causes of the conflict, including governance, resource distribution, and ethnic tensions.
Conclusion
The Port Sudan court’s decision represents a notable, albeit contested, step in Sudan’s ongoing pursuit of justice for atrocities committed during the current war. As the conflict enters its fourth year, the international community continues to monitor developments closely, advocating for transparent investigations, victim‑centered reparations, and a sustainable political settlement that can usher lasting peace to the region.
