By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Sudan, 9 July 2026 - The International Criminal Court (ICC) says it has made a major breakthrough in its investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Sudan's conflict in Darfur, with prosecutors now saying they have obtained evidence allegedly linking atrocities to senior leadership.
The announcement comes as international pressure mounts over continued attacks on civilians in western Sudan, where the United Nations and human rights organisations have accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing widespread abuses, including ethnic killings, sexual violence and forced starvation.
Speaking to Reuters after visiting Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad, ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said investigators had secured what she described as critical evidence connecting crimes committed in Darfur to those in positions of authority.
"We have got additional evidence, strong evidence, linking what is occurring in Darfur with leadership levels. We are very, very pleased to say that this is a breakthrough for us," Khan said.
"We are confident that there are going to be results in at least a reasonable time."
Although Khan declined to identify the leaders involved or indicate whether arrest warrants had already been sought, she said the latest evidence marked significant progress in investigations that have been ongoing since the war erupted in April 2023.
The ICC is investigating atrocities committed during the 2023 assault on Al Geneina and the 2025 offensive on El Fasher, two cities that witnessed some of the bloodiest fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF.
According to UN investigators, attacks on the predominantly non-Arab population in the two cities bore the "hallmarks of genocide".
One of the biggest challenges in prosecuting senior political or military leaders for international crimes is proving they were directly linked to atrocities committed on the ground. Prosecutors must establish what is known as "linkage evidence", demonstrating that leaders authorised, directed or knowingly failed to prevent the crimes.
Khan said investigators had gathered testimonies from survivors describing executions and widespread sexual violence.
"We will ensure their stories are also told in the course of our proceedings," she said.
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Her remarks come a day after a UN fact-finding mission accused the RSF of carrying out mass killings, abducting women and girls, committing gang rapes and deliberately starving civilians during its siege and capture of El Fasher.
The findings also reinforce a recent Amnesty International report, which concluded that the RSF committed crimes against humanity and engaged in ethnic cleansing during its campaign to seize North Darfur's capital.
Amnesty documented allegations including murder, torture, rape, sexual slavery, persecution and forced displacement, while urging an immediate ceasefire and the deployment of an international protection force for civilians.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that intensified drone attacks and ongoing fighting are worsening civilian suffering in North Kordofan and other conflict-affected regions.
Last week, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called for an immediate end to attacks on civilian areas.
"Civilians who wish to leave El Obeid must be able to do so safely. Whether they leave or remain, they must be protected and have access to essentials for survival. Humanitarian workers must be able to move safely and without impediment to reach people in need," Türk said.
Sudan is not a member of the ICC. However, the UN Security Council granted the court jurisdiction over atrocity crimes committed in Darfur from 2005 onwards.
No public arrest warrants have yet been issued in relation to crimes allegedly committed during the current conflict, but Khan's latest remarks suggest investigators believe they are moving closer to holding those responsible to account.