Khartoum, Sudan – Human Rights Watch called on the Sudanese military-controlled authorities to hand over the remaining suspects wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), foremost among them former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. The organization stressed that this step is essential for achieving justice for the victims of the Darfur conflict.
Tamara Abu Ramadan, international justice advisor at Human Rights Watch, stated that the Sudanese authorities must execute the ICC arrest warrants “without delay.” This comes amid mounting international pressure on the Sudanese military regarding justice and accountability.
The call was made in an article published by Abu Ramadan on the organization’s website. She emphasized that Omar al-Bashir remains “the most prominent suspect” who has not yet been handed over, despite more than 15 years having passed since the first arrest warrant was issued against him.
She added: “On behalf of the victims, governments should support the ICC’s work in Sudan, advocate for expanding its jurisdiction to cover all of Sudanese territory, and establish a special international tribunal for Sudan.”
Kuchaib’s conviction brings the case back to the forefront
These demands come after the conviction in October 2025 of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, a former Janjaweed militia leader, on 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur. This was the first conviction of a Janjaweed leader since the conflict began.
Human Rights Watch considered the verdict a “historic breakthrough.” However, it also highlighted the continued impunity enjoyed by high-ranking officials.
The three wanted by the International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court (ICC) continues to seek the extradition of three key Sudanese officials accused of crimes committed during the Darfur conflict between 2003 and 2004. This conflict resulted in the deaths of approximately 300,000 people and the displacement of more than 2.7 million, according to UN estimates.
The three men are:
Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir: Two arrest warrants were issued against him in 2009 and 2010 on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. He is believed to have been detained since 2019 in a military prison in northern Sudan.
Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein: The former Minister of Interior and Defense, an arrest warrant was issued against him in 2012 on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Ahmed Mohammed Haroun: The former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, an arrest warrant was issued against him in 2007 on the same charges.
The ICC accuses these three men of coordinating and directing the Janjaweed militias to carry out mass killings, widespread rape, and the systematic destruction of predominantly non-Arab villages.
The roots of the crisis and the delivery delays
The Darfur crisis erupted in 2003 following an armed rebellion against the central government. The Bashir regime responded with a massive military campaign, employing the Janjaweed militias. This response resulted in one of the worst mass atrocities of the 21st century, including the use of rape as a weapon of war.
In 2005, the UN Security Council referred the Darfur situation to the International Criminal Court. This marked the first time the ICC had investigated genocide.
Following al-Bashir’s ouster in April 2019, the transitional government pledged to hand over those wanted by the court and officially announced its agreement to do so in June 2021. However, the subsequent military coup disrupted the implementation of these commitments.
With the ongoing civil war in Sudan, human rights organizations emphasize that surrendering the accused to international justice remains a crucial step in breaking the cycle of impunity. They also consider it essential for building lasting peace in Darfur and throughout the country.
