Sudan Re-Arrests Former Bashir Official Wanted by ICC Over Darfur Atrocities

Sudan’s military authorities have re-arrested former senior government official Ahmed Haroun, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict in Darfur.

Haroun, who previously served as a senior security official under former President Omar al-Bashir and later chaired the country’s former ruling National Congress Party, was detained on Sunday, November 8, 2026, according to members of his defence team.

The lawyers told international media that Haroun was arrested in Omdurman, near the capital Khartoum. Earlier reports had placed his detention in the eastern province of Kassala. His exact whereabouts remained unclear following the arrest.

Arrest Follows Public Podcast Appearance

Haroun’s re-arrest came shortly after his first major public appearance since the fall of al-Bashir’s government in 2019.

During a televised podcast interview, Haroun discussed the relationship between his former ruling party and Sudan’s military leadership. He reportedly said that although the National Congress Party and the army might not be politically aligned, they shared a common position in the ongoing war against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

His comments reportedly attracted criticism from activists and groups associated with the 2019 uprising that led to al-Bashir’s removal from power.

According to members of his defence team, authorities did not provide an official explanation for the latest detention. However, the lawyers linked the arrest to his recent public remarks.

The National Congress Party has called for Haroun’s immediate release, arguing that he was detained for expressing his political views.

ICC Charges Linked to Darfur Conflict

Haroun is wanted by the ICC over alleged crimes committed in Sudan’s western Darfur region between 2003 and 2004.

The court accuses him of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, rape, torture, persecution and the forced displacement of civilians.

The allegations relate to the Sudanese government's response to an insurgency in Darfur, where government forces and allied Arab militias were accused of carrying out widespread attacks against civilian populations.

Haroun has denied the charges and previously described them as politically motivated. The allegations remain subject to judicial determination.

The ICC has sought his arrest and transfer to The Hague to face the charges.

Previous Detention and Prison Escape

Haroun was first detained in April 2019 following the military removal of al-Bashir after months of nationwide protests.

He was held alongside the former president and other senior officials facing international criminal allegations. Sudan's military authorities did not transfer the wanted officials to the ICC.

In April 2024, Haroun reportedly escaped from detention after the prison where he was being held was attacked during the war between Sudan's military and the RSF.

The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has devastated large parts of the country, causing mass displacement, widespread hunger and serious human rights violations.

Renewed Pressure for Accountability

Haroun’s latest detention has revived questions about whether Sudan’s authorities will eventually cooperate with the ICC and allow those accused of atrocities in Darfur to face trial.

Human rights advocates have repeatedly called for Sudan to hand over individuals wanted by the international court, including al-Bashir, Haroun and former Defence Minister Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein.

Rights groups argue that accountability should not be delayed by political alliances or the country's ongoing military conflict.

The ICC has not yet publicly announced any new development regarding Haroun’s transfer to its custody.

Sudan's War Complicates Justice Efforts

Sudan remains engulfed in a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, with both sides facing allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The war has further weakened state institutions and complicated efforts to investigate historical and current abuses.

Haroun’s re-arrest therefore presents a significant development in Sudan’s long-running pursuit of accountability for the Darfur atrocities. However, whether the detention will lead to his transfer to the ICC remains uncertain.

For survivors and families affected by the violence in Darfur, the central question remains whether those accused of grave crimes will ultimately face an independent judicial process.