A recent investigation by Dutch broadcaster NOS has uncovered that Al-Qoni Hamdan Dagalo, a senior official in Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), attended a peace conference in The Hague in late 2024 under an assumed name. The conference was held at a building affiliated with Erasmus University in The Hague. Organizers only discovered Dagalo's true identity, which was already on the US sanctions list at the time, during the conference.
Dagalo, the younger brother of RSF leader Hemedti, is a key figure in the forces and is responsible for, among other things, purchasing weapons. His presence at the conference was met with concern, with Aniet Hofman of the Clingendael Institute calling it a "serious mistake." Hofman noted that Dagalo's attendance provided a platform for propaganda, which is extremely dangerous.
During his visit to The Hague, Dagalo was on the US sanctions list due to his role in purchasing weapons used in committing crimes against civilians. He used the alias "Ahmed Musa" to conceal his identity, according to a statement from the organizing entity, Peace Projects in The Hague. The organization expressed regret for the incident, stating that Dagalo was already in Europe, specifically in Geneva, and therefore did not need a new visa.
The incident has raised questions about how Dagalo was able to attend the conference without being detected. Roard Ganzevoort, head of the International Institute of Social Studies at Erasmus University in The Hague, expressed concern, stating that his colleagues are worried about being exploited. He emphasized that the institute does not want to provide a platform for representatives of warring parties who are present for propaganda purposes.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs was informed of Dagalo's presence on the same day as the conference but did not share this information with the police or judiciary. While it was theoretically possible to arrest and prosecute him if his involvement in war crimes committed by the RSF was proven, no action was taken. The ministry stated that Dagalo had a valid multiple-entry visa and no arrest warrant or entry ban was in place.
Dagalo is now on the European Union's sanctions list, and an entry ban has been imposed on him. The incident has highlighted concerns about the presence of individuals linked to conflict and human rights abuses at international conferences and events. The Dutch investigation has sparked a renewed focus on the activities of Sudanese officials and their potential implications for international peace and security.
The RSF has been involved in the conflict in Sudan, and its leaders have faced accusations of human rights abuses and war crimes. The presence of Dagalo at the conference has raised questions about the ability of international organizations to detect and prevent the participation of individuals linked to conflict and human rights abuses.
Key points
- The Dutch investigation revealed that Al-Qoni Hamdan Dagalo attended a peace conference in The Hague under a pseudonym, sparking concerns about his presence and potential implications.
