Security Council statement urges cooperation with ICC on Darfur investigations

A representative of Sierra Leone, speaking on behalf of Security Council members that are parties to the Rome Statute, called for stronger cooperation with the International Criminal Court to support investigations and prosecutions tied to alleged crimes in Darfur, Sudan.

The representative said the council members that spoke on the statement included states parties to the Rome Statute — France, Greece, Guyana, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and Denmark — and noted Sierra Leone was presenting the statement on their behalf. The speaker commended ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan for the office's “determined effort to implement its mandate in such challenging circumstances,” citing ongoing hostilities and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan.

The statement expressed deep concern about “widespread atrocities and reports of Rome Statute crimes being committed,” listing killings, attacks on internally displaced persons camps, gender-based violence, crimes against children and large-scale displacement. The representative said the recurrence of atrocities and reports of targeting marginalized ethnic groups “underscore the enduring legacy of impunity in the region,” and said justice and accountability are essential for sustainable peace.

The speaker welcomed the progress in the trial of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, describing it as the first completed trial following a referral by the United Nations Security Council. The statement noted that “100 witnesses have courageously shared their account, contributing to the pursuit of justice,” and said the trial is seen by victims as both a symbol of accountability and a source of hope.

The representative described limits on the ICC’s direct engagement in parts of Darfur because of deteriorating security, and commended the prosecutor’s outreach to affected communities, including in refugee camps in Chad and other neighboring countries. The statement urged all relevant actors to facilitate safe, unhindered access for the ICC and international humanitarian organizations and urged cooperation to enable execution of pending arrest warrants and further evidence collection.

When asked during the meeting how U.S. sanctions might affect the court’s work, the speaker said they could not speak for all states parties to the Rome Statute and that views had already been reflected in the council statement, noting concerns about impacts on investigations and judicial processes affecting victims.

The statement closed by reaffirming support for the Rome Statute and the ICC as an independent judicial institution, saying, in the speaker’s words, that “the court’s work is vital to breaking the cycle of impunity and contributing to international peace and security.”