France Advocates for Justice as Darfur Conflict Escalates
France emphasizes its commitment to international justice in response to the escalating crisis in Darfur.
Key Points
- • France calls for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan to protect civilians.
- • The ICC is actively investigating crimes in Darfur with France's support.
- • Sudanese authorities urged to cooperate with the ICC, particularly regarding suspects.
- • The trial of Abd-Al-Rahman (Ali Kushayb) marks a significant step against impunity.
France intensified its call for international justice regarding the ongoing conflict in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region, during a United Nations Security Council briefing on July 10, 2025. Sylvain Fournel, France's legal advisor, expressed grave concerns about the humanitarian crisis that has worsened since fighting erupted in April 2023, leading to severe violations of human rights and international law.
Fournel urged for an immediate ceasefire to mitigate the suffering of civilians and highlighted the vital need for urgent measures to protect those affected by the conflict. He reiterated the importance of adhering to the commitments set out in the Jeddah Declaration, emphasizing that effective action is essential to safeguard civilians in Darfur. His remarks underscore France's commitment to supporting the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its investigations of international crimes committed in the region.
The ICC has made progress in its investigations, focusing on collecting evidence and ensuring witness protection, an effort France applauded. Fournel noted that ICC teams have been deployed to Eastern Chad and are working with Sudanese authorities in Port Sudan to facilitate investigations into ongoing crimes. He specifically called on the Sudanese government to cooperate with the ICC and assist in the arrest of fleeing suspects, including individuals with outstanding warrants such as Omar Al Bashir, Abdel Raheem Hussein, and Ahmad Harun.
In a significant step in the fight against impunity, Fournel expressed satisfaction with the trial of Abd-Al-Rahman (Ali Kushayb), emphasizing that the forthcoming judgment will be a crucial moment in addressing past atrocities committed over the past two decades in Darfur. He pointed out that the fight against impunity must coincide with peace restoration efforts, particularly focusing on crimes related to children and sexual violence.
Fournel also condemned a recent cyberattack against the ICC, reaffirming that the court's operations must remain independent and impartial. He emphasized that the ICC's involvement in Sudan follows the Security Council's mandate, which requires all member states to cooperate and uphold justice in the face of international crimes.