The Sudanese Alliance for Rights (SAR) has announced a groundbreaking legal move, filing a case before the International Criminal Court (ICC) against senior leaders of the Port Sudan authorities. Among those named in the lawsuit is General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, alongside Yasser al-Atta, Shams al-Din al-Kabashi, and Major General Taher Mohammed.
The case accuses the military leaders of deploying chemical weapons and committing serious violations against civilians during the prolonged conflict that continues to devastate Sudan. SAR is demanding a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible, stressing that the era of impunity must come to an end.
In addition to the ICC filing, SAR has submitted a formal complaint to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and sent an urgent appeal to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The coalition is calling for immediate action to investigate allegations of chemical weapon use, warning that international silence risks emboldening further atrocities.
The move comes after repeated failures by both the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to broker a peaceful resolution. The Sudanese army has so far rejected peace negotiations and refused to honor earlier agreements. This political deadlock has allowed extremist militias allied with the authorities to expand their influence, threatening not only Sudanese civilians but also regional security and stability across neighboring states.
Human rights experts view SAR’s initiative as a strategic attempt by Sudanese civil society to engage international institutions in ensuring accountability. They argue that the case sends a powerful message: no matter how long conflicts endure, those responsible for crimes against humanity will eventually face justice.
With Sudan’s crisis deepening, the ICC filing underscores the urgent need for global attention and intervention to protect vulnerable populations and prevent further escalation of violence.
