Sudan’s attorney general announced on Saturday that if lawmakers and leaders of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) do not appear in court, they will face charges in absentia.
Arrest warrants have been issued for leaders of the Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces “Tagadum” coalition, including former Prime Minister and group chairman Abdallah Hamdok, on suspicion of collaborating with the RSF.
Tagadum leaders have dismissed the accusations as politically motivated.
Attorney General Al-Fateh Tayfour told SudanTV that the public prosecutor had “issued extradition requests for 346 fugitive individuals associated with the rebellion—referring to the RSF—and a red notice against 16 supporters of the rebellion.”
“No involvement in politics or any other profession shields one from appearing before the law,” Tayfour declared. “Those involved in the rebellion will face legal action.”
The Sudanese military government has accused Tagadum of backing the RSF in its ongoing conflict with the army, a claim the civilian coalition vehemently denies.
The attorney general anticipates cooperation from countries harboring Sudan’s wanted individuals.
Sudanese courts have handed down sentences ranging from long-term imprisonment to execution in 159 cases prosecuted by the public prosecutor against individuals accused of collaborating with the RSF.
Investigations are ongoing regarding 105 mercenaries from 12 different countries captured by the army during the conflict.
The National Human Rights Commission has forwarded 273 of the 18,950 reported RSF violations to the legal system, the attorney general stated.
Tayfour accused the RSF of 966 cases of sexual assault and enslavement and urged victims to come forward.
He also claimed the RSF had seized over 454,000 civilian homes, converting some into military barracks, and had looted 37,500 vehicles from Khartoum and other locations.
The RSF is facing charges of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing.