Darfur, 08 October, 2025 / 11:04 PM
The UK-based human rights organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has welcomed the conviction of the leader of Sudan’s Janjaweed militia – later reconstituted as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – for crimes against humanity committed against non-Arab communities in Darfur between 2003 and 2004.
In a Tuesday, October 7 report issued a day after the International Criminal Court (ICC) found Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, guilty of 27 atrocity crimes, CSW’s Director of Advocacy says, “We welcome the judgement.”
“Not only did the court find him guilty of 27 atrocity crimes; it also named the other general and commanders he collaborated with to commit these crimes,” Khataza Gondwe is quoted as saying in the report.
Dr. Gondwe adds, “The fact that this case details atrocities that were committed over two decades ago should serve as a warning to perpetrators everywhere that justice may be slow, but it can also be inevitable.”
“It is vital to continue combatting impunity by holding perpetrators to account and giving a voice and agency to the victims and survivors of these appalling crimes,” the CSW’s Director of Advocacy says.
According to the report, the charges were related to four operations in Kodoom, Bindisi and surrounding areas between 15-16 August 2003, Mukjar and surrounding areas between the end of February 2004 and the beginning of March 2004, and in Deleig and surrounding areas between 5-7 March 2004.
“The court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Abd-Al-Rahman was personally responsible for torture, murder, persecution and outrages against personal dignity,” the October 7 CSW report indicates.
In the Kodoom and Bindisi operations, Mr Abd-Al-Rahman is said to have been “deemed responsible for ordering the Janjaweed to commit murder, rape, attacks against civilians, pillaging, forcible transfer of the population, persecution and distorting property belonging to the enemy, which amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.”
The court also found Mr Abd-Al-Rahman guilty of jointly committing murder, attempted murder, torture, outrages against personal dignity and persecution with the Janjaweed and/or government forces, the CSW report says.
The report also indicates that among other individuals named by the prosecutor in connection with these attacks was Ahmad Muhamad Haroun, who was a government minister in Sudan at the time, and for whom the ICC has issued an arrest warrant.
The report also depicts CSW Sudan Specialist’s reflection on the judgement, saying, “As I listened to the court judgement in the Ali Kushayb case, I was moved by the inclusion by the judges of the names of some of the people who were killed in the attacks either directly by Kushayb, or by those following his orders, including religious and community leaders.”
“Now, over twenty years after the Darfur conflict of 2003-04, Sudan is once again in a conflict that has affected the whole country. The same people, the RSF, who were the Janjaweed, and the Sudan Armed Forces are locked in a war against civilians,” Mohaned El Nour is quoted as saying.
El Nour adds, “Coming in the midst of this, the court’s decision brings us a rare glimmer of hope that cycles of impunity can be broken and those responsible for crimes against the people of Sudan will one day be named in a court with their crimes listed in detail for the world to see.”
Meanwhile, the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) has reportedly voted to renew the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) for the Sudan by another year, with 24 countries voting to support the mandate, 12 abstaining, and 11 voting against the resolution, including the Sudanese authorities.
The renewal of the mandate, CSW October 6 report indicates, “allows for the FFM to investigate, document and report to the UN on violations that are being perpetrated in the continuing conflict between the RSF and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).”
In its latest report, the FFM is said to have found that the conflict was a “war of atrocities” targeting civilian populations and included reports on attacks on places of worship by parties to the conflict.
“The renewal of its mandate also enables the FFM to receive documentation and information about alleged violations which can be compiled and shared with justice mechanisms such as the ICC,” the report indicates.
Dr. Gondwe is also said to have welcomed the renewal of the FFM’s mandate, which she said will enable the group to continue its important role in documenting and reporting on human rights abuses committed by all parties during this devastating war.
“In particular, we welcome the inclusion of two oral updates where the FFM will inform the HRC on its latest findings and of an enhanced dialogue that includes a representative of civil society, thereby centering the voices of Sudanese civil society in these discussions,” the CSW official says.
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