“The Sudan war has an impact on the environment and climate”

The war that broke out in Sudan almost 15 months ago between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is having an impact on the environment and climate in Sudan, particularly in Darfur, according to a leading Sudanese environmental activist. He wonders whether these incidents should be considered “climate crimes” and brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Iman Seifeldin, a researcher in the field of environment, conflict and migration and board member and founder of the Sudanese Environmental Association, said in an interview with Radio Dabanga’s “Sudanese Files” program broadcast on Friday that the ICC specializes in prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and crimes of aggression.

Seifeldin points out that the war in Darfur, which began in early 2003 between rebel movements and the Sudanese regime of Omar Al Bashir, affected the entire region. Likewise, the ongoing armed conflict between the SAF and the RSF is affecting all parts of Darfur.

“The majority of the population in the Darfur region are farmers and pastoralists who depend on the land for their livelihood. Due to the wars, the majority of people who have been forced to flee their homes now live in camps. The violence prevents them from returning to their land and resuming their economic activities. The environmental impact is significant: when agricultural land is left fallow for many years, the soil is subject to erosion, making it extremely difficult to restore its productivity,” she explained.

“This is a clear example of how war-related forced displacement has long-term effects on the suitability of land for agriculture, causes damage and has consequences for the return of populations after conflict.”

The environmentalist mentions the Kondowa forest, southeast of Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, which has completely disappeared due to illegal logging. The displaced Darfuris, who had lost their livelihoods in agriculture and livestock rearing, had become dependent on the production and sale of firewood. This led to the destruction of local flora and fauna.

She warns that the destruction of forests and the resulting climate change will become apparent over time, leading to a reduction in humidity and more temperate weather, as well as the complete loss of vegetation cover, which she describes as a full-blown environmental crime.

ICC jurisdiction

Seifeldin stresses that the ICC could adapt its statutes to prosecute environmental crimes, as the legal texts allow this despite the lack of precision in ICC laws on defining environmental damage.

“Where war crimes are committed, there are usually also environmental crimes related to the living conditions of the population, such as the deprivation of food and medicine. These crimes are enshrined in the Rome Statute and defined as crimes against humanity or genocide,” explains Seifeldin.

“This allows the ICC to include within its jurisdiction a range of laws relating to the natural environment and the serious threat to human life. In order for the court to begin investigating environmental cases in Darfur, various legislative levels in Sudan must be taken into account, including federal, state and local laws. The specificity of Darfur, which has a regional level according to the October 2020 Juba Peace Agreement, further complicates the determination of responsibilities.”

Specialized teams

Seifeldin adds that environmental crime cases require investigations at different levels and that different aspects, such as the environmental pollution associated with gold mining, must be taken into account.

“The ICC must appoint investigators with environmental specialization and knowledge of the environment in Sudan. They should be able to take soil, water or air samples from affected areas to monitor and investigate environmental crimes.”

Seifeldin concludes by calling on the ICC to help Sudan establish specialised environmental crimes courts, not only in Darfur but throughout Sudan. She stresses that protecting the environment is crucial for political, economic and development stability, as it is the fundamental basis for the lives of the people of Sudan.