– PORT SUDAN, Sudan
A Sudanese court has sentenced Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, and 15 other high-ranking officers to death in absentia. The sentence was handed down Sunday by the Anti-Terrorism and Crimes Against the State Court in Port Sudan, a city controlled by the military. Among those sentenced are Hemedti's brother and lieutenant, Abdel Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, and another brother, Al-Qoni Hamdan Dagalo. This marks the first major legal action against the RSF leadership since the outbreak of civil war with the Sudanese Armed Forces in April 2023.
The convictions relate to atrocities committed in El Geneina, West Darfur, in June 2023. The defendants were found guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide linked to the assassination of West Darfur Governor Khamis Abdullah Abakar and the massacre of thousands of members of the Masalit community. Reports indicate that between 10,000 and 15,000 people died during the violence.
Handed down under the control of the Sudanese Armed Forces, the sentences carry symbolic significance but face enforcement challenges due to RSF's control over much of Darfur and the regional movements of Hemedti. RSF has faced repeated accusations of ethnic discrimination in the conflict, which has displaced millions and created a severe humanitarian crisis.
Legal experts view the trial as an attempt to hold national authorities accountable for international crimes, though questions about jurisdiction remain. The fact that the trial is being held in absentia limits its immediate impact, while simultaneously drawing regional attention to East Africa.
Entering its fourth year, the conflict in Sudan continues to expose cycles of impunity that affect civilians on all sides. The verdict could influence future peace talks and accountability measures, but lasting justice will depend on a political resolution and greater international support.