Ahmed Haroun resurfaces in Port Sudan under Sudanese army protection

Ahmed Haroun, the head of Sudan’s dissolved National Congress Party and a fugitive wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), has resurfaced in Port Sudan. Haroun, who is accused of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, is reportedly receiving protection from the Sudanese army. He had previously escaped from prison following the outbreak of the country’s current civil war, and his reappearance in the military-controlled coastal city has reignited international calls for his arrest and handover to the Hague.

The ICC issued a warrant for Haroun’s arrest in 2007 for his alleged role in the Darfur conflict, where he is accused of coordinating militias that carried out systematic attacks against civilians. The United States government has maintained a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture. Despite these international pressures, Haroun has remained a central figure in Sudanese politics, and his recent activities—including conducting media interviews—suggest a level of freedom and institutional support that complicates efforts to bring him to justice.

Sudanese activists and political figures have expressed alarm over the military's apparent shielding of Haroun. They argue that the army's refusal to hand over a high-profile international criminal undermines the rule of law and the search for accountability for victims of the Darfur genocide. As the civil war continues to destabilize the nation, Haroun’s presence in Port Sudan serves as a stark reminder of the deep-seated ties between the former regime and elements of the current military leadership, further stalling Sudan's path toward democratic transition and judicial reform.