Displaying items by tag: Janjaweed

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has sentenced former Janjaweed commander Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, better known as Ali Kushayb, to twenty years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur in 2003–04. Convicted on 27 charges, he is the first person tried by the ICC for atrocities linked to the Darfur conflict. Judges found that he both ordered and personally participated in attacks aimed at ‘wiping out’ non-Arab communities, including killings, mass displacement and widespread sexual violence. Survivors testified to villages being burned and families destroyed. The ruling comes as Sudan faces renewed conflict, with the Rapid Support Forces (successors to the Janjaweed) accused of carrying out similar abuses today. While the ICC hopes the sentence will offer justice and deterrence, experts question its immediate impact, noting that millions of survivors remain displaced and key figures, including former president Omar al-Bashir, are still wanted. The verdict nevertheless stands as a significant acknowledgment of long-ignored suffering.

Last week Sudanese protesters were subjected to brutal military crackdowns, increasing concern about the future. Amnesty International reported that government forces continue to commit war crimes in the Darfur region, and blames the Rapid Support Forces (called Janjaweed by pro-democracy campaigners). The UN and African Union will soon decide whether to withdraw thousands of international peacekeepers from Darfur, leaving tens of thousands of civilians vulnerable to further attacks by Janjaweed. Tibor Nagy, the US assistant secretary for Africa, is calling for attacks against civilians to stop and for talks between the two sides to resume. He will also meet the Ethiopian prime minister, who has been trying to mediate between the military council and the opposition. Last week you prayed for an end to criminal acts of violence and for a negotiated peaceful solution. Please also pray for international engagement with Sudan to prevent widespread identity-based violence against ethnic, religious, political and other at-risk populations. See