标签： Africa

In a significant development, prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Monday that they are taking immediate steps to preserve evidence of potential war crimes committed in Sudan’s Darfur region. This follows the capture of the key city of El-Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, after an 18-month siege. Reports indicate that hundreds of civilians were killed, with witnesses describing horrific acts of violence, including house-to-house killings and sexual assaults. The World Health Organization has confirmed that at least 460 people were killed in a hospital attack, with medical staff abducted. The ICC’s statement emphasized that these alleged atrocities may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, reflecting a broader pattern of violence in Darfur. The fall of El-Fasher marks a new phase in the two-year conflict between the RSF and Sudan’s military, which has devastated the region. ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan had previously informed the UN Security Council in January that both government forces and the RSF might be committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide. Khan has temporarily stepped down pending an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies. Earlier this month, the ICC achieved a landmark conviction in a Darfur case, finding Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman guilty of mass executions and other atrocities.

The UK government has announced its decision to strip former Prince Andrew of his last remaining military title, the honorary rank of vice-admiral. This move follows King Charles III’s recent decision to revoke all of Andrew’s remaining royal titles and honors, a response to growing public outrage over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Defence Minister John Healey confirmed the decision during an interview with the BBC, stating that the government is acting under the guidance of the king. He also hinted at the possibility of Andrew losing his military medals, though no final decision has been made. Andrew, once celebrated for his service as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot during the 1982 Falklands War, retired from active duty in 2001 after 22 years of service. His fall from grace began in 2022 when his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, stripped him of his honorary military titles after he was sued by Virginia Giuffre, Epstein’s primary accuser. Giuffre alleged in her memoir, published posthumously in October, that she was trafficked to have sex with Andrew on three occasions, including twice when she was just 17. Andrew has consistently denied these allegations. Buckingham Palace issued a strongly worded statement last Thursday, announcing that Andrew would no longer be referred to as a prince and would instead be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The statement emphasized that these measures were necessary and expressed the king and queen’s sympathy for victims of abuse. A friend of the royal couple described the statement as an unprecedented judgment on Andrew’s actions. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed sympathy for the royal family, calling the situation tragic. The scandal has cast a long shadow over the British monarchy, with concerns about reputational damage growing. Camilla, the queen consort, has been a vocal advocate for abuse victims, and the royal family has increasingly prioritized amplifying the voices of survivors. The controversy has also reignited discussions about Andrew’s 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, where he defended his ties to Epstein and showed little empathy for the women involved. The latest developments mark a significant chapter in the ongoing fallout from Andrew’s association with Epstein, further distancing him from his former roles and titles.

The war in Sudan has plunged the nation into an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, with famine now declared in two regions, including the besieged city of el-Fasher in Darfur, according to a report released Monday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the leading global authority on hunger crises. The IPC confirmed that famine has been detected in el-Fasher and Kadugli in South Kordofan, with 20 other areas in Darfur and Kordofan also at imminent risk. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has claimed over 40,000 lives, displaced more than 14 million people, and fueled widespread disease outbreaks. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, has been accused of blockading el-Fasher for 18 months, severing food and supply lines to tens of thousands. Last week, RSF fighters seized the city, reportedly killing hundreds in violent attacks. Kadugli has also been under siege for months, trapping thousands as the RSF seeks to expand its territorial control. The IPC report highlights ‘extremely high levels of malnutrition’ and a ‘total collapse of livelihoods’ in these regions, with famine conditions meeting stringent criteria, including acute malnutrition affecting 30% of children under five. The IPC has confirmed famine only a few times in recent history, including in northern Gaza earlier this year and in Somalia and South Sudan in previous years. The report warns that towns near el-Fasher, such as Tawila, Melit, and Tawisha, are also at risk. As of September, 375,000 people in Darfur and Kordofan were pushed into famine, with 6.3 million across Sudan facing extreme hunger. While improved humanitarian access in Khartoum and surrounding areas has slightly reduced acute food insecurity, the IPC emphasizes that only a ceasefire can prevent further loss of life and mitigate the crisis.