Hemedti, RSF leaders on trial over West Darfur governor’s 2023 murder

PORT SUDAN – A landmark trail began in Port Sudan on Sunday, marking a significant steps in efforts to pursue justice amid Sudan’s ongoing war. Sixteen senior leaders of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), including its top commander Mohamed Hamadan Daglo—commonly known as Hemedti—are facing charges related to the murder of West Darfur Governor Khamis Abdallah Abakar in June 2023.

The charges stem from a violent RSF assault on Abakar’s compound in the city of El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur, just a month after the outbreak of conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Abakar was abducted, killed, and his body was reportedly mutilated—a crime that drew national and international outrage and sparked calls for accountability.

During the opening session, presiding judge Mamoun Al-Khawad announced that the defendants are charged under several articles of Sudanese law, including those related to murder, terrorism, cybercrimes, and violations of military conduct. Alongside Hemedti and his brother Abdelrahim, the accused include Goni Hamadan Daglo, Former West Darfur deputy governor Tigani Tahir Kharshoum, and major General Abdelrahman Jumaa, the RSF commander for East Darfur.

The court confirmed it had formally summoned the accused to appear but noted that they are currently hiding. As a result, the proceedings will continue in their absence. Judge Al-Khawad clarified that the defendants do not qualify for court-appointed legal defense under article 135 of the Sudan’s criminal procedures law, which only applies to those unable to afford representation.

Sudan’s Attorney General, Fateh Mohamed Issa Tayfour, emphasized the state’s commitment to justice. Reading from the charge sheet, he said the prosecution has built a strong case supported by audio-visual evidence, written records, and witness testimonies. “The judicial system is determined to prevent impunity,” Tayfour said. “This case stands on solid ground and presents clear evidence linking the accused to the crime,”

The murder of Governor Abakar became one of the most emblematic atrocities in the early months of the war. Shortly before his death, Abakar had publicly condemned the RSF for alleged ethnic targeting and atrocities in West Darfur. Human rights groups and UN agencies have since documented a pattern of violence against the non-Arab masalit community in the region, blaming the RSF and its allied militias for widespread killings, sexual violence, and forced displacement.

While the Sudanese government pursues legal action, the RSF has consistently denied responsibility for Abakar’s killing, blaming “unidentified elements” for the incident and claiming it had no involvement in the governor’s capture or death. The group has dismissed the ongoing proceeding as politically motivated.

Internationally, the killing of Khamis Abakar and other reported atrocities by RSF forces have prompted strong reactions. The United States, European Union, and United Kingdom have all imposed sanctions on senior RSF leaders, including Hemedti and Abdelrahim Daglo, accusing them of serious human rights violation in Darfur. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has also opened preliminary investigations into alleged war crimes against humanity it the region.

The trail is being closely watched both within Sudan and by international observers, as a rare attempt to bring top military figures to justice during an ongoing conflict. Whether it leads to convictions remains uncertain, but the proceedings mark a bold legal and political move amid Sudan’s deepening crisis.