Head of genocidal UAE-backed Sudanese militia convicted in absentia

A court has convicted the head of a genocidal UAE-backed Sudanese militia in absentia. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, was found guilty on multiple counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Sudanese RSF verdict

Dagalo leads the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). RSF’s main backer in the three-year war with the Sudanese state is the UAE — a key UK ally.

The Sudan Tribune reported on 12 July:

A Sudanese counter-terrorism court on Sunday sentenced Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemetti [SIC], to death in absentia along with his two brothers and 13 others over the assassination of a regional governor and wartime atrocities.

The report added that:

The 16 defendants were convicted under Sudan’s criminal code for crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes against individuals, destruction of public property, and using prohibited methods of warfare.

The court ordered the confiscation of all RSF assets in favour of the Sudanese government and instructed the state to request Interpol notices to secure the extradition of the convicted individuals.

The charges centred on several atrocities including the genocidal siege of el-Geneina in 2023. Middle East Eye (MEE) reported:

Dagalo was convicted of co-organising the siege of el-Geneina, the civilian displacement, and the genocide of the Masalit.

Sudan’s forgotten war

With gold interests and regional influence at stake, numerous foreign actors, including the UK, have caused the war to fester through active participation and/or outright passivity. Israel, too, is a player in the war.

The war in Sudan is theoretically between the Arab-majority RSF and the Sudanese government. But foreign states pursuing their own interests are backing the combatants. Turkey, Egypt and many more countries are pursuing their own interests in Sudan too.

The RSF has killed Sudanese civilians in vast numbers. Some estimates put the death toll at 150,000 people have died, and more than 10 million civilians have been displaced by fighting.

The judge made clear there was no way out for those convicted:

These international crimes are not subject to any statute of limitations and cannot be subject to political pardons under Sudan’s international obligations.

While much of the focus has been on the role of the UAE in facilitating the killing, the Brits have been deeply involved too. As the Canary has reported repeatedly:

British military components have shown up on the battlefield in RSF hands. The UK is a major arms supplier to UAE.

Sources have also claimed the UK downgraded the humanitarian situation in Sudan to avoid “pissing off the Emiratis”.

The ruling comes weeks after the first war crimes claim had been lodged against RSF in Kenya. Twelve victims backed by a Swiss legal NGO urged Kenya’s chief of prosecution to pursue the case. Associated Press (AP) reported on 9 June:

It is the first attempt to prosecute members of the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, the paramilitary group fighting against the Sudanese military for over three years, outside Sudan.

Adding that:

The group, which has been accused by rights organizations of committing atrocities amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity, has ties with Kenya’s government.

The court’s finding is partial justice at best. Those named are still at large. Someone must turn RSF’s taps off as far as arms and material support are concerned.

Featured image via the Canary