Russia has called for the Darfur case to be withdrawn from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing its overreach in attempting to investigate recent events in Sudan. This was stated by Maria Zabolotskaya, Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, during a UN Security Council meeting on Monday.
"The current escalation in Sudan highlights the irrelevance of the ICC's so-called justice for achieving lasting peace. For two decades, this institution has failed to act on the Security Council's mandate to investigate specific events in Darfur. Now, without authorization, it is showing interest in recent developments. This is a clear violation of its mandate under UNSC Resolution 1593," said Zabolotskaya. She urged responsible states to "withdraw the Darfur case from the ICC before its politicized actions lead to even greater catastrophes."
Zabolotskaya emphasized that "an inclusive Sudanese-led dialogue is the only path to sustainable peace in Darfur." According to her, only through open, equal discussions that consider all stakeholders' interests can genuine national reconciliation be achieved. "The ICC's politicized activities only hinder this process. Justice can only be administered by the Sudanese people themselves, with our support and assistance," she added.
Background on Sudan
In March 2005, the UN Security Council authorized the ICC to investigate crimes committed during Sudan's civil war, which began in 2003. In 2009 and 2010, the ICC issued two arrest warrants for then-President Omar al-Bashir on charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Al-Bashir was accused of ordering the suppression of uprisings in Darfur and the destruction of civilian populations from the Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa ethnic groups between 2003 and 2008.
Current Conflict in Sudan
Sudan's situation worsened in April 2023 due to disagreements between Sovereign Council Chairman and Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The primary disputes involve the timeline and process for unifying Sudan’s armed forces and determining whether the commander-in-chief should be a military officer, supported by al-Burhan, or a civilian president, favored by Dagalo. Fighting broke out on April 15, 2024, between the RSF and the army in Merowe and Khartoum, quickly spreading across the country. Thousands have been killed, with tens of thousands injured in the ongoing conflict.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on TASS materials