A significant legal challenge has been brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC) against senior leaders of the Sudanese army. The Sudanese Coalition for Human Rights filed a comprehensive lawsuit on September 26, 2025, with the support of a team of international lawyers. This legal action targets four prominent figures, including the head of the Transitional Military Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, alongside Yasser al-Atta, Shams al-Din al-Kabbashi, and Major General Taher Mohammed. The coalition is demanding a full investigation by the court and accountability for those responsible for alleged crimes.

This initiative stands out as one of the most visible and determined efforts by Sudanese civil society to pursue international justice. The lawsuit encompasses grave allegations, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and claims of chemical weapons use. The coalition’s complaints detail widespread violations, ethnic killings, mass rape, attacks on civilians, and the use of prohibited weapons by the Sudanese army.

Beyond the ICC filing, the Sudanese Coalition for Human Rights has also taken additional steps. They submitted a formal complaint to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) and dispatched a letter to the head of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). In this letter, they requested an urgent investigation and the suspension of the Port Sudan Authority's membership in the organization, citing violations linked to the ongoing conflict. The coalition issued a stark warning that continued international silence on these matters risks fostering impunity and further endangering innocent civilians.

The lawsuit is filed against a backdrop of previous international reports that have consistently implicated the Sudanese army in extensive violations since the armed conflict erupted in April 2023. Organizations such as Human Rights Watch have documented these abuses, leading to widespread international condemnation against the army, particularly under Burhan's leadership. These violations include allegations of indiscriminate airstrikes and lethal attacks on civilians, as reported by international media citing human rights experts.

The ICC has been actively involved in investigating crimes in Darfur, pursuant to a UN Security Council resolution. In July 2023, the ICC's Prosecutor, Karim Khan, announced an expansion of the investigation to cover new crimes in Darfur, directly linked to the current conflict. Khan cited compelling evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the army and its allied militias. By January 2024, Prosecutor Khan further confirmed that the Sudanese army was committing war crimes, specifically mentioning ethnic killings and mass rape in West Darfur. The court reported to the Security Council in July on the continuation of these crimes, emphasizing violations of international humanitarian law.

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s international legal accountability is significant, stemming from his role as commander of the armed forces responsible for numerous alleged atrocities. He has previously faced several international legal proceedings, primarily focused on ICC investigations and human rights complaints, alongside economic sanctions as part of broader international pressure.

International sanctions have also been imposed on Burhan. In January, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed personal sanctions under Executive Order 14098, accusing him of violations of international humanitarian law and his refusal to negotiate, which has hampered his international financial operations. These sanctions came after reports of military crimes in Darfur, including ethnic cleansing against the Masalit people. The US Treasury Department specifically accused General Burhan of