The United States on Monday offered a reward of up to $5 million for the arrest of a former Sudanese official sought over alleged Darfur war crimes who escaped from jail when conflict erupted last year.
Ahmed Harun, who served as Minister of State for the Interior under the Omar al Bashir regime, is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Darfur between 2003 and 2004, the department said.
The reward by the United States is offered for information that leads to Harun’s arrest, transfer or conviction.
“Those with information about Harun’s whereabouts should contact the War Crimes Rewards Program by WhatsApp or text message at 202-975-5468 or by email at wcrp@state.gov. The identity of anyone providing information will be kept strictly confidential absent that person’s express permission,” the department said.
Harun announced in April that he and other former regime officials escaped Khartoum’s Kober prison days after fighting broke out between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The United States pointed out that the Janjaweed militia has evolved into the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which is accused of ethnic-based attacks in Darfur.
“Lasting peace in Sudan requires justice for victims and accountability for those responsible for human rights abuses and violations, both past and present,” State Departments spokesman Matthew Miller said.
“There is a clear and direct connection between impunity for abuses under the Bashir regime, including those of which Harun is accused, and the violence in Darfur today,” he said.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused the Rapid Support Forces of crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing in the current conflict.
The war has killed more than 13,000 people and displaced around 7.6 million since April 2023, according to UN figures.
The International Criminal Court has sought Harun since 2007 over 20 counts of crimes against humanity and 22 counts of war crimes.
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