SUDAN WAR CRIMES PANEL REGISTERS 12,400 CASES AGAINST RSF. (PHOTO).

 Sudan war crimes panel registers 12,400 cases against RSF

A Sudanese committee investigating war crimes said it has registered 12,400 cases against members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), including the killing of West Darfur’s governor and attacks in other regions, according to Sudan Tribune.

Governor Khamis Abubakar was killed on June 14, 2023, shortly after being arrested by the RSF, who released a video showing the desecration of his body.

“The committee has registered 12,400 complaints, foremost among them the assassination of West Darfur state governor Khamis Abbakar, against 12 defendants,” Yasir Bukhari, head of the National Committee for War Crimes and Violations, said in a televised statement.

Bukhari who is also Assistant General Attorney said the cases also included events in Zalingei in Central Darfur state, with accusations of infrastructure sabotage, killings, and looting, as well as events in El Geneina that resulted in 5,000 deaths and 8,000 injuries.

The committee has also registered cases related to attacks in Al Jazirah state, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and looting, as well as attacks on the village of Wad Al Noura, which resulted in 227 deaths and 150 injuries, and the village of Sheikh Al Samani in Sennar state, which resulted in the deaths of 21 people and injuries to 15 others.

Bukhari said the committee has filed a lawsuit against an administrative officer who handed over vehicles belonging to the Khartoum locality and 11 billion pounds ($18.7 million) to the RSF.

The lawsuits relate to crimes of murder, forced displacement, looting, rape, sexual violence, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Arrest warrants have been issued against some RSF members while others have been declared fugitives.

Some RSF members have already been convicted, while others have been acquitted, Bukhari added, noting that a verdict is imminent in a case concerning the RSF’s April 13 attack on Merowe Airport, a key trigger for the conflict.

Bukhari accused the RSF of recruiting 6,000 children and releasing over 19,000 prisoners since the conflict began. He estimated losses to the health ministry at $11 billion and industrial sector losses at $50 billion. Damage to media infrastructure and cultural heritage sites has also been extensive.

The national committee comprises representatives from various ministries and the Human Rights Commission. It is tasked with investigating all alleged war crimes, prosecuting perpetrators, and securing compensation for victims.