Sudan’s Public Prosecution has charged former Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok with “incitement to war against the state,” among other charges that could potentially lead to the death penalty. On Wednesday, the Public Prosecution in Sudan initiated criminal proceedings at the Port Sudan City Prosecution against 17 leaders of the “Taqadum” Civil Forces Coordination, which advocates for the cessation of war in the country, including Abdullah Hamdok and other coordination leaders, with penalties that could extend to execution.
The lawsuits launched against the civil force leaders pertain to “undermining the constitutional system” and “committing crimes against humanity.” This comes as “Taqadum,” comprising political, civil forces, and professional entities, pushes for “stopping the war through peaceful means.”
The National Committee for War Crimes, established by Sudan’s Sovereign Council President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in August, registered cases in Port Sudan Prosecution in Eastern Sudan against leaders of the democratic and civil forces coordination, including a number of prominent political leaders.
Hamdok has been engaged in discussions for several months with Sudanese and regional figures in an attempt to end the country’s war.
The war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces erupted in April 2023 following weeks of tensions over disagreements regarding the integration of the Rapid Support Forces into the army’s ranks, amid finalizing an internationally-backed political process by military and civil parties.
The conflict in Sudan has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced over 8.5 million people, according to the United Nations.
The recent war in Sudan, erupting in April 2023, has been characterized by intense conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leading to significant casualties, displacement, and a deepening humanitarian crisis. The conflict initiated over tensions between these two dominant military factions, with both accusing the other of initiating hostilities. The involvement of external military influences and mercenary groups has compounded the complexity of the situation, making peace negotiations challenging.
As of early 2024, the war has resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries, with over 6.5 million internally displaced and more than two million fleeing as refugees. Efforts to negotiate peace have seen little success, with previous ceasefire agreements failing to halt the violence. The SAF and RSF agreed to resume U.S.- and Saudi-led negotiations in late October, yet neither side has ceased violent actions during talks. The ongoing power struggle has significantly hindered Sudan’s transition efforts and deepened the country’s crisis.
This conflict marks a significant phase in Sudan’s tumultuous history, which has seen multiple military coups, civil wars, and periods of intense violence, particularly in the Darfur region. The RSF, emerging as a powerful paramilitary group from the Janjaweed militia, has been involved in various human rights abuses, including mass displacement and sexual violence. Its leader, Hemedti, has become one of Sudan’s wealthiest men through the seizure of gold mines with the government’s blessing. Despite the RSF’s participation in ousting Bashir in 2019, tensions with the SAF have escalated, leading to the current conflict.
