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Death Sentence in Port Sudan
A Sudanese court in Port Sudan sentenced Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, to death in absentia over war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed in West Darfur.
“A Sudanese court has sentenced Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, to death after convicting him of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide over atrocities committed in West Darfur”
The court also sentenced 15 other senior RSF figures to death in absentia for the same crimes, with the BBC describing the verdict as issued by a court in the army-controlled city of Port Sudan.
Premium Times Nigeria said the court convicted and sentenced Hemedti on Monday in absentia alongside five other RSF members, including Abdelrahim Dagalo, Al-Qoni Dagalo, and Abdul Rahman Barkallah, and it said the trial focused on RSF actions in el-Geneina.
The case centered on the June 2023 killing of West Darfur Governor Khamis Abbakar, which the BBC said the court treated as part of alleged atrocities in el-Geneina.
The BBC reported that Special Judge Mohamed Al-Amin ordered the confiscation of all RSF assets and instructed authorities to seek Interpol Red Notices for the arrest and extradition of those convicted.
Rejection and Trial Details
The Sudan Founding Alliance, which includes the RSF, told the BBC the verdict was a "sham trial" that "does not even deserve a comment," while the RSF had not directly commented on the ruling.
Al Jazeera reported that the Sudan Founding Alliance reportedly rejected the ruling while Hemedti was tried in absentia and his whereabouts are not publicly known.
The BBC said the trial centered on alleged atrocities in el-Geneina, including the June 2023 killing of state governor Khamis Abbakar, and it said the court found the 16 defendants guilty of orchestrating attacks on civilians, widespread destruction and looting.
Al Jazeera said the Port Sudan trial centered on atrocities committed in el-Geneina, including the June 2023 killing of West Darfur Governor Khamis Abakar.
The BBC added that the court found the defendants guilty of targeting schools, places of worship and residential neighbourhoods, and it said the RSF has previously rejected accusations of war crimes during the conflict.
Humanitarian Crisis and Aftermath
The sentencing came as fighting continued across Sudan, with the BBC saying the impact of the ruling remained unclear because the RSF continues to control large parts of western Sudan and its leaders remain beyond the reach of the army.
“Sudan's paramilitary RSF chief sentenced to death over war crimes A Sudanese court has sentenced the leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo to death for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide over atrocities committed in the West Darfur region”
Radio Tamazuj described how displaced people in the Karama camps in Damazin, Blue Nile State, said heavy rains and the absence of adequate shelter materials were worsening their situation, with Harun Bakheet saying, “We are now living out in the open and in the water, and we face the risks of scorpion and snake bites because the shelter is flooded.”
Radio Tamazuj also quoted Hawaa Mohammed saying, “The situation is very bad, the rains have worsened our suffering, and we have nothing to eat.”
The BBC reported that aid agencies say around 28 million people are facing acute hunger, and it said more than 150,000 people have died and 12 million more are estimated to have fled their homes amid the conflict.
In the same context of displacement and hunger, Radio Tamazuj reported that displaced Ruqba Adam appealed to humanitarian organizations and relevant authorities to intervene urgently to provide shelter materials, food, and basic aid.
