Guyana backs ICC investigations as violence escalates in Sudan

Guyana is sounding the alarm over escalating atrocities in Sudan, particularly the widespread reports of rape and sexual violence against women and girls—an issue described by officials as both grave and urgent.

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, Guyana’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Trishala Persaud, condemned the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Darfur.

She highlighted the continued targeting of civilian populations, including internally displaced persons camps, and the rising levels of gender-based violence, calling for immediate accountability.

“Guyana is gravely concerned about the continued airstrikes and bombardment on cities and IDP camps, the deteriorating humanitarian crisis which has been described as the worse ever recorded, and the high levels of rape and sexual violence,” she noted.

Ambassador Persaud welcomed the intensified efforts by the International Criminal Court’s Office of the Prosecutor, including the deployment of a dedicated gender-based crimes expert and new partnerships to investigate crimes involving women, children, and vulnerable communities.

“The intensified engagement with civil society, organisations, victims, survivors, and affected communities is welcome, as are the efforts of the Office to support capacity-building activities for civil society organizations documenting international crimes in Darfur,” she emphasised.

She further stressed that more than 25 million people are now facing acute food insecurity, with famine threatening hundreds of thousands. Bombardments and airstrikes continue, even as diplomatic efforts stall. Guyana is urging all parties to immediately halt hostilities and engage in meaningful political dialogue to allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need.

“Guyana reiterates its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urges the parties to the engage, in good faith, in political dialogue and diplomatic efforts towards a durable ceasefire and to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need in accordance with international humanitarian law,” she said.

The ambassador also pressed for swift investigations and prosecutions, noting the ICC has confirmed reasonable grounds to believe war crimes and crimes against humanity continue to be committed in Sudan.

“We note the Office’s confirmation that it has reasonable grounds to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity have been, and continue to be, committed in Darfur and look forward to progress on the applications for arrest warrants regarding 2023 crimes. Swift investigation and prosecution can contribute to stemming the wave of terror in Sudan,” the Ambassador noted.

She added that without justice and accountability, the cycle of violence, especially against women, will persist.

Ambassador Persaud concluded with a strong message of support for the International Criminal Court and its independent mandate to bring justice to victims and survivors.

“It is more urgent than ever for the Office of the Prosecutor to make concrete progress on investigations and prosecutions in Sudan, both from the perspective of securing accountability for past crimes, and as a deterrent to future atrocities,” she said.