The ongoing conflict in Sudan between the army and the Sudan Founding Alliance Forces has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian deaths and millions displaced, amidst severe food insecurity and a near-total collapse of essential services. As the military option continues to be pursued, former regime affiliates and leaders of the Islamic Movement are escalating their activities, potentially steering the country towards catastrophic developments.
Ahmed Haroun, head of the dissolved National Congress Party and a fugitive wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), has resurfaced, sparking considerable controversy in Sudanese and international circles. Haroun faces 20 counts of crimes against humanity and 22 counts of war crimes over his role in recruiting militias that perpetrated ethnic massacres in Darfur in the early 2000s.
The ICC has for years been calling for Haroun and al-Bashir to be handed over to the court. In 2024, the United States offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest. Recently, the authorities in Port Sudan leaked news of Haroun’s arrest without making any official announcement, which was disclosed to the media by leaders of the National Congress Party.
However, Khalid Omar Youssef, an engineer and leading figure in the Sumoud Alliance, questioned the credibility of reports circulating about Ahmed Haroun’s arrest, describing them as “a crude charade that fools no one”. He suggested that the move was an attempt to contain the public anger triggered by Haroun’s latest media appearance.
Observers say Haroun’s appearance exposed a pattern of manoeuvres by the Islamic Movement to reposition itself within the corridors of power following its downfall in 2019. They also accuse these forces of involvement in military operations that have resulted in massacres and widespread destruction in Darfur and Khartoum, while deepening social and ethnic divisions.
The alliance between Islamic Movement cadres, led by acting Secretary-General Ali Karti, and al-Burhan has helped legitimise their presence through the “popular resistance” groups. Meanwhile, observers say Haroun’s current appearance carries messages suggesting that al-Burhan is protecting war criminals and that the army has legitimised a policy of impunity throughout the war.
Two prominent fact-finding missions warned of the continued prevalence of impunity as grave and widespread human rights violations intensified. They renewed their calls on all parties to the conflict, African Union and United Nations member states, and regional and international bodies to establish an independent and complementary judicial mechanism to prosecute those responsible for international crimes in Sudan.
Key points
- The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Ahmed Haroun on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
- The conflict in Sudan has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian deaths and millions displaced.
- Observers warn that the Islamic Movement's manoeuvres may steer the country towards catastrophic developments.
