Sudan – First war crimes complaint against the RSF filed in Kenya 

Press Release – 9 June 2026 

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Geneva, Nairobi (LAW) — “The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) violently interrogated me, detained me in darkness for weeks, and tried to force me to rape a male cellmate at gunpoint.” On 9 June, on behalf of twelve Sudanese victims, Legal Action Worldwide (LAW), and The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) – represented by Otieno Ogola and Company Advocates – filed a landmark criminal complaint with Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Nairobi, Kenya.

This is the first time in Kenya’s history that a complaint for war crimes and crimes against humanity is being filed under the principle of universal jurisdiction, allowing Kenyan authorities to prosecute crimes committed in another country. The victims are asking the DPP to investigate 10 members of the RSF, including some with alleged ties to Kenya, for committing these international crimes in and around Khartoum between April 2023 and March 2025.

“The victims and survivors have waited a long time to see justice served at the national and international levels. This action today gives hope to many Sudanese to work toward combating impunity for such crimes and atrocities, not only against the RSF but also the Sudanese Armed Forces”, said Mossaad Mohamed Ali, ACJPS’s Executive Director.

“The UN recently found that the RSF committed genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity”, stressed Antonia Mulvey, LAW’s Executive Director. “The RSF have continuously destroyed the lives of millions of people across Sudan, killed tens of thousands, starved them, and sexually enslaved them, including children. The Kenyan public is aware that some of the perpetrators are traveling freely in and out of Kenya. Many are furious that this has been allowed to take place. Kenya should not be a safe haven for war criminals.”

On the importance of this case, Dr Owiso Owiso, Kenyan counsel for the complainants, added: “This is not only an opportunity to test Kenya’s commitment to international justice. It is also a demonstration that, although domestic accountability systems and the international community have failed the people of Sudan, avenues for accountability are not entirely closed.”

The twelve survivors were illegally detained, tortured, raped, and witnessed their family members being murdered. The crimes took place in and around Khartoum, including in Soba Prison, Al-Riyadh complex, and informal detention sites. Both men and women reported harrowing accounts of how the RSF used sexual violence to punish and humiliate alleged Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) supporters. More than one woman was subjected to sexual slavery.

“With this filing, I have had my voice heard and drawn the attention of the region and the international community to the horrific human rights violations being perpetrated against civilians in Sudan. I hope this will help bring an end to impunity”, said Ali B.*, who is now 34 years old.

In Sudan, the justice system cannot, on its own, deliver accountability in the current conflict. The International Criminal Court’s reach remains confined to Darfur. Other international and regional mechanisms have no mandate for criminal accountability. The UN Fact-Finding Mission has concluded that accountability remains elusive for crimes committed by the RSF, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and their affiliates. Regardless of the perpetrators, victims are entitled to legal representation and accountability for the crimes they have suffered and witnessed.

The DPP is expected to take its decision on opening a potential investigation within 30 days.

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For more information, please contact:

Lucien Christen, Global Communications Manager, [email protected], +41765343816