crimes against humanity and genocide over atrocities committed in the West Darfur region. The court in Port Sudan, an area under the control of the army, convicted Dagalo - known as Hemedti - in absentia, along with 15 other senior RSF members, who were given the same sentence.

The RSF has not commented on the verdict, but previously rejected accusations of war crimes during the conflict. The trial centered on alleged atrocities committed in the regional capital el-Geneina, including the June 2023 killing of the state governor, Khamis Abbakar. The court also found the 16 defendants guilty of orchestrating attacks on civilians, widespread destruction and looting of property, and the targeting of schools, places of worship and residential neighbourhoods.

Among those sentenced were Hemedti's brother and deputy, Abdelrahim Hamdan Dagalo, another brother, Al-Qoni Hamdan Dagalo, and the RSF's West Darfur commander, Abdul Rahman Juma Barkallah. Special Judge Mohamed Al-Amin ordered the confiscation of all RSF assets and instructed the authorities to seek Interpol Red Notices for the arrest and extradition of those convicted. This ruling is the first judicial conviction of the RSF's leadership since civil war broke out, however its impact remains unclear as the group continues to control large parts of western Sudan and its leaders remain beyond the reach of the army. Hemedti's whereabouts are not publicly known. (BBC)