Sudan court sentences RSF leader Hemedti to death penalty.

Port Sudan, Sudan

A Sudanese court has sentenced Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, to death in absentia, marking a significant legal development in the country’s ongoing civil war. The ruling, handed down by the Anti-Terrorism and Crimes Against the State Court in Port Sudan, is the first conviction against Hemedti since conflict erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF in April 2023. The decision comes as Sudan continues to grapple with one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with millions displaced and widespread allegations of war crimes committed by both sides.

The court found Hemedti and 15 other defendants guilty in connection with the killing of West Darfur Governor Khamis Abdallah Abakar, who was abducted and killed in June 2023. Among those also sentenced to death were Hemedti’s brother and RSF deputy commander Abdel Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, another brother Al-Qoni Hamdan Dagalo, former RSF commander in West Darfur Abdel Rahman Juma, and several tribal leaders and individuals accused of supporting RSF operations during the violence.

According to the court, the defendants were convicted on charges that included war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, murder, and attacks against civilians and public property during the fighting in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur. The judges concluded that the crimes formed part of a widespread and systematic campaign targeting civilians and specific ethnic communities during the conflict. The verdict represents one of the strongest judicial findings to emerge from Sudan’s civil war and reflects the country’s efforts to hold senior military figures accountable through its domestic legal system.

The case centers on the death of Governor Khamis Abdallah Abakar, whose killing drew international condemnation in 2023. Shortly before his death, Abakar publicly accused the RSF of carrying out acts of genocide against civilians in West Darfur. He was abducted and later killed, an incident that became one of the defining moments of the conflict and intensified global calls for accountability over atrocities committed in the region.

Despite the significance of the ruling, the sentence was issued in absentia, meaning Hemedti and the other convicted individuals were not present in court. Under Sudanese law, the death sentence cannot be carried out unless those convicted are arrested and brought before the judicial authorities. Hemedti remains at large, while the RSF continues to control significant territory across parts of Sudan, making enforcement of the verdict uncertain.

The civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF has entered its fourth year, leaving vast areas of the country devastated. International organizations have repeatedly warned of widespread human rights abuses, ethnic violence, and mass displacement. Investigators from the International Criminal Court have also continued gathering evidence related to alleged atrocities committed in Darfur, including crimes that may involve senior RSF leadership.

While the court’s decision is being viewed by Sudanese authorities as a milestone in pursuing justice, the broader conflict remains unresolved. Fighting continues across multiple regions, humanitarian conditions remain dire, and millions of civilians are still caught between the violence. For many observers, the verdict is an important legal step, but one that also highlights the immense challenges of achieving accountability and lasting peace in a country still deeply divided by war.

Discover Also Venezuela twin earthquake death toll reaches 4333