A Sudanese court has sentenced Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and 15 other high-ranking commanders to death. The judicial tribunal in Port Sudan found them guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. This ruling relates to the ongoing conflict in West Darfur.
The court proceedings took place in absentia in an area controlled by the Sudanese army. The verdict specifically cited the June 2023 assassination of state governor Khamis Abbakar as a central piece of evidence. Judges concluded that the defendants directed deliberate attacks against civilian infrastructure. These assaults included widespread destruction of residential neighbourhoods, schools, and houses of worship. The list of those sentenced includes Dagalo's brother and deputy, Abdelrahim Hamdan Dagalo, and his brother Al-Qoni Hamdan Dagalo. The court also convicted the RSF commander for West Darfur, Abdul Rahman Juma Barkallah. Special Judge Mohamed Al-Amin formally ordered the confiscation of all assets belonging to the RSF. The court has directed authorities to pursue Interpol Red Notices to facilitate the arrest and extradition of the convicted individuals.
This verdict represents the first formal judicial conviction of the RSF’s top leadership since the civil war erupted in April 2023. This ongoing conflict has significantly impacted Sudan's economic stability and regional trade routes. The instability exacerbates pre-existing challenges like food insecurity and displacement, straining public finances and humanitarian aid. Persistent conflict stalls economic development and discourages foreign investment in the region.
International observers have long scrutinised the paramilitary group's conduct. UN investigators and various human rights organisations have repeatedly accused the RSF and allied militias of conducting ethnically motivated violence against the Masalit population. The International Criminal Court has also intensified its focus on the region. Earlier this month, the deputy chief prosecutor for the ICC stated that investigators now possess "concrete evidence" linking RSF leadership directly to war crimes. A damning May 2024 report by Human Rights Watch characterised events in el-Geneina as ethnic cleansing, causing thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands displaced. Such events create immense economic burdens through lost productivity and increased social welfare demands.
Despite the severity of the sentences, the practical impact of the ruling remains uncertain. The RSF continues to maintain operational control over vast territories in western Sudan. The convicted leaders currently remain outside the jurisdiction of the national army. Hemedti’s exact location remains unknown to the public. Legal experts note that such domestic rulings, issued by one side of an ongoing civil war, often lack international enforceability. Rival factions and foreign observers frequently view these as politically motivated, potentially hindering peace efforts.
The ongoing instability in Sudan threatens the security architecture of the entire Horn of Africa. Neighbouring nations face mounting pressure from mass displacement and the spillover of extremist violence. Large refugee populations strain the public services and resources of host countries. This impacts their own economic stability. African Union mediators continue to call for an inclusive political process to replace military-led solutions. Continued regional escalation risks undermining economic development and social cohesion across neighbouring borders over the long term. This could lead to increased national debt and reduced trade.
As the international community grapples with this judicial development, the focus remains on the urgent need for a durable ceasefire. Unimpeded humanitarian access is vital to prevent further loss of life. Such a ceasefire would pave the way for economic recovery and rebuilding. Whether domestic verdicts can effectively serve the cause of long-term accountability or merely serve to deepen existing political divisions remains a critical question for Sudan's fractured future. This will influence future international aid and investment decisions.