Sudan: Ahmed Haroun Alleged Arrest by ICC Unconfirmed

• Widespread international media reports claimed the arrest of Ahmed Haroun, an ICC fugitive, following a recent podcast interview.
• No official confirmation of Ahmed Haroun's alleged arrest has been issued by any Sudanese authority.
• Haroun, a former National Congress Party chairman, has been at liberty since leaving Kober Prison during the early days of the war.
• Political figures have dismissed the arrest reports as a "farce" intended to circumvent international pressure.
• Human rights groups express grave concern over Haroun's public freedom and the lack of clarity regarding the legal status of other former regime figures released from Kober Prison.

This situation raises serious questions about the responsibility of competent authorities to enforce arrest warrants and ensure that those wanted by the courts cannot evade justice.

Recent days saw widespread international media reports, including those from the Associated Press and Reuters on Sunday, suggesting the arrest of Ahmed Haroun, an individual sought by the International Criminal Court (ICC). These reports, which cited unnamed sources, surfaced shortly after Haroun's appearance in a recorded interview with Sudan Podcast on Friday. Despite the extensive coverage, no official confirmation of his detention has been issued by any Sudanese authority, including the prosecution, the justice minister, the attorney-general, or the police.

Ahmed Haroun, who also formerly chaired the now-dissolved National Congress Party (NCP) and holds a prominent position within the Islamist movement, made his first public recorded appearance in the aforementioned podcast since his departure from Kober Prison in Khartoum. He had left the prison during the initial stages of the ongoing conflict. Since that time, the ICC fugitive has reportedly enjoyed freedom of movement, engaging in public statements on various issues without apparent restriction.

The alleged arrest and Haroun's public profile have drawn sharp criticism and skepticism from key political figures. Yasser Arman, a leading figure in civil coalition alliances and head of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – Revolutionary Democratic Current, sarcastically commented on Haroun's podcast appearance. Arman suggested the interview took place at the Salam Rotana Hotel, which he characterized as a gathering place for warlords and militia commanders, implying Haroun was operating with impunity.

Khalid Omar Youssef, a prominent member of the Sudanese civil democratic coalition Sumud, dismissed the entire sequence of events as a "crude, transparent, and badly staged farce." Youssef contended that the reports were merely an attempt to deflect mounting regional and international pressure. He further alleged that Haroun, whom he identified as a leader in the current conflict and the one who coined the term "War of Dignity," operates under the direct protection of security and military agencies whose key positions are controlled by his associates.

The Emergency Lawyers group has voiced grave concerns regarding Haroun's public visibility while an active International Criminal Court arrest warrant remains in effect. This situation raises serious questions about the responsibility of competent authorities to enforce arrest warrants and ensure that those wanted by the courts cannot evade justice. The group has specifically called upon Sudanese authorities, particularly the leadership of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), to immediately disclose the legal status of Ahmed Haroun, along with other high-profile figures like Omar Al Bashir and Abdel Rahim Mo.

Since the outbreak of war on April 15, 2023, several other prominent figures from the former regime have also been released from Kober Prison. However, Sudanese authorities have consistently failed to provide adequate legal clarification regarding the circumstances of their release, the status of any ongoing criminal proceedings against them, or the measures implemented to ensure their appearance before the courts. Information gathered by the Emergency Lawyers group indicates that some of these wanted individuals are moving freely and residing in areas under SAF control, without any public disclosure of their legal status or the actions taken against them. This highlights a significant challenge to the rule of law in Sudan and the state's commitment to international legal obligations.

This development highlights the Sudanese authorities' apparent failure to enforce an active International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Ahmed Haroun and clarify the legal status of other high-profile former regime figures. Lawyers advising on international criminal law, human rights, or compliance in Sudan should note the significant challenges to the rule of law and the state's commitment to international legal obligations, which could impact risk assessments and legal strategies for clients operating in or engaging with the jurisdiction.

Source: Original reporting via news reports