Jun 9, 2026, 14:05

People Ask Kenya to Punish RSF Soldiers

民眾要求肯亞懲罰 RSF 士兵

Introduction

Twelve people say the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) hurt them. They want Kenyan courts to investigate these crimes.

12 人表示快速支援部队 (RSF) 傷害了他們，因此希望肯亞法院能調查這些罪行。

Main Body

The people want Kenya to arrest ten RSF members. Some of these members live in Kenya. They say the RSF used electricity and violence to hurt people in Sudan from 2023 to 2025.

這些人希望肯亞能逮捕 10 名 RSF 成員，其中部分成員居住在肯亞。他們表示 RSF 在 2023 年至 2025 年間，在蘇丹利用電擊與暴力傷害民眾。

Sudan has a war now. Many people died and millions need help. The United Nations says the RSF did very bad things. The United States also says the RSF committed crimes.

蘇丹目前正處於戰爭狀態，許多人喪生，數百萬人需要援助。聯合國表示 RSF 犯下了極其惡劣的行徑，美國也表示 RSF 犯下了罪行。

Kenya's leader, President Ruto, talked with the RSF leader before. This makes some people worried. But lawyers say Kenya must follow the law and punish these crimes.

肯亞領導人魯多總統此前曾與 RSF 領袖交談，這讓部分人士感到擔憂。但律師表示，肯亞必須遵守法律並懲罰這些罪行。

Conclusion

Now, Kenyan lawyers must decide if they can punish the RSF for these war crimes.

現在肯亞律師必須決定是否能就這些戰爭罪行懲罰 RSF。

Vocabulary Learning

💡 The "Who does what" Pattern

In this text, we see a lot of sentences that tell us Who $\rightarrow$ Action $\rightarrow$ Who is affected.

Look at these examples:

The RSF $\rightarrow$ hurt $\rightarrow$ them.
The United Nations $\rightarrow$ says $\rightarrow$ the RSF did bad things.

Why this helps you reach A2: Beginners often mix up the order of words. To speak clearly, always follow this simple map:

Subject (Person/Group) $\rightarrow$ Verb (Action) $\rightarrow$ Object (Person/Thing)

Quick Word Swap: Notice how the text changes the action based on the person:

People $\rightarrow$ want (General desire)
President Ruto $\rightarrow$ talked (Past action)
Lawyers $\rightarrow$ say (Giving an opinion)

Key Vocabulary for this pattern:

Punish: To give a penalty for doing something bad.
Investigate: To look for the truth about a crime.

Vocabulary Learning

punish (v.)

To make someone suffer because they did something wrong.

Example:The teacher will punish the student for fighting.

investigate (v.)

To try to find out the truth about something.

Example:The police will investigate the car accident.

arrest (v.)

When the police take someone away to prison.

Example:The police decided to arrest the thief.

violence (n.)

Using physical force to hurt someone.

Example:The city wants to stop violence in the streets.

committed (v.)

To do something wrong or illegal.

Example:The man committed a crime last night.

worried (adj.)

Feeling unhappy or afraid about something that might happen.

Example:I am worried about my test tomorrow.

Petition to Prosecute Rapid Support Forces Members in Kenya

請求在肯亞起訴快速支援軍成員

Introduction

Twelve people who claim they were victims of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have asked Kenyan courts to investigate reports of torture and sexual violence.

十二名自稱是快速支援軍（RSF）受害者的民眾，請求肯亞法院調查有關酷刑與性暴力的報告。

Main Body

The legal request, supported by Legal Action Worldwide and lawyer Willis Otieno, asks for the prosecution of ten RSF members, some of whom are believed to live in Kenya. These individuals are accused of systemic abuse, including electric shocks and sexual violence, in the Khartoum region between April 2023 and March 2025. The lawyers are using Kenya's International Crimes Act of 2008 because the Sudanese legal system is not working and the International Criminal Court has limited power in the region.

此法律請求由 Legal Action Worldwide 與律師 Willis Otieno 支持，要求起訴十名 RSF 成員，其中部分人被認為居住在肯亞。這些人被指控在 2023 年 4 月至 2025 年 3 月期間，在喀土穆地區進行系統性虐待，包括電擊與性暴力。由於蘇丹的法律系統失效，且國際刑事法院在該地區的權力有限，律師因此引用肯亞 2008 年的《國際罪行法》。

Historically, the RSF grew out of the Janjaweed militias, which were involved in violent attacks in Darfur in the early 2000s. The current conflict, which began in April 2023, has caused an estimated 59,000 deaths and a humanitarian crisis affecting about 34 million people. Furthermore, the United Nations and human rights groups have stated that the RSF's actions may be war crimes. For example, the US government and UN experts described an attack in el-Fasher as having signs of genocide.

從歷史上看，RSF 演變自 Janjaweed 民兵，後者在 2000 年代初期參與了達富爾的暴力襲擊。目前的衝突始於 2023 年 4 月，估計造成 59,000 人死亡，並引發影響約 3,400 萬人的人道主義危機。此外，聯合國與人權組織表示，RSF 的行為可能構成戰爭罪。例如，美國政府與聯合國專家將 el-Fasher 的一次襲擊描述為具有種族滅絕的跡象。

However, the situation is complicated because the Kenyan government has maintained diplomatic ties with the RSF. President William Ruto previously hosted General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo for peace talks, which caused some political tension. Despite these connections, legal experts emphasize that Kenya's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has the authority to ensure that these international crimes do not go unpunished.

然而，情況十分複雜，因為肯亞政府一直與 RSF 保持外交關係。總統 William Ruto 先前曾接見 General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo 進行和平談判，這引起了一些政治緊張。儘管有這些聯繫，法律專家強調，肯亞的公共檢控處有權確保這些國際罪行不會逍遙法外。

Conclusion

Kenyan prosecutors have now been asked to use their legal power to investigate these alleged war crimes as the conflict in Sudan continues to destabilize the region.

由於蘇丹的衝突持續導致該地區不穩定，肯亞檢察官現在被要求運用法律權力來調查這些涉嫌的戰爭罪行。

Vocabulary Learning

The B2 Shift: From 'Simple Facts' to 'Complex Connections'

At an A2 level, you describe things as they are: "The RSF did bad things." To reach B2, you need to connect ideas using Logical Transition Markers. These are the 'glue' that turn a list of sentences into a professional argument.

🗝️ The Magic of 'Furthermore' and 'However'

Look at how the text moves between ideas. It doesn't just jump; it signals the direction of the thought.

Adding Weight (Furthermore): A2 style: The conflict caused deaths. The UN says they are war crimes. B2 style: The conflict caused 59,000 deaths. Furthermore, the UN stated these actions may be war crimes. Coach's Tip: Use Furthermore when your second point is even more important or shocking than the first. It is the 'professional' version of 'also'.
The Pivot (However): A2 style: Kenya has a law. But the government likes the RSF. B2 style: ...these international crimes do not go unpunished. However, the situation is complicated because the Kenyan government has maintained diplomatic ties. Coach's Tip: However creates a 'contrast' bridge. It tells the reader: "I just told you one fact, but now I'm going to tell you why that fact isn't the whole story."

🛠️ Power Upgrade: The Passive Voice for Formality

B2 speakers stop focusing only on who did the action and start focusing on what happened. This is essential for legal or news-style English.

A2 (Active): "Twelve people asked the court..."
B2 (Passive): "Kenyan prosecutors have now been asked to use their legal power..."

Why this matters: By saying "have been asked," the writer emphasizes the request rather than the people making it. It makes your English sound objective, formal, and authoritative.

🚀 Quick Vocabulary Bridge

Stop using "bad" or "wrong." Move to these B2-level descriptors found in the text:

Systemic (instead of 'repeated' or 'organized')
Destabilize (instead of 'make a place unstable')
Alleged (instead of 'they say it happened, but we aren't sure')

Vocabulary Learning

prosecute (v.)

To officially accuse someone of a crime in a court of law.

Example:The government decided to prosecute the officials for corruption.

systemic (adj.)

Relating to a system as a whole, rather than just individual parts; often used to describe widespread patterns of abuse.

Example:The report highlighted systemic racism within the organization's hiring process.

humanitarian (adj.)

Related to the effort to promote human welfare and reduce suffering.

Example:The UN is providing humanitarian aid to refugees fleeing the war zone.

genocide (n.)

The deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.

Example:The international community must work together to prevent genocide.

diplomatic ties (n.)

Official political relationships between two or more countries.

Example:The two nations decided to sever diplomatic ties after the border dispute.

emphasize (v.)

To give special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing.

Example:The teacher wanted to emphasize the importance of reviewing the vocabulary daily.

authority (n.)

The legal right or power to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.

Example:The police have the authority to arrest individuals suspected of a crime.

destabilize (v.)

To make a government or region unstable or likely to fail.

Example:Foreign interference can often destabilize a country's political system.

Petition for Extraterritorial Prosecution of Rapid Support Forces Personnel in Kenya

請求在肯亞對快速支援部隊人員進行域外起訴的請願書

Introduction

Twelve individuals alleging victimization by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have requested that Kenyan judicial authorities investigate claims of torture and sexual violence.

十二名指稱遭到快速支援部隊（RSF）侵害的個體，請求肯亞司法當局調查關於酷刑與性暴力的指控。

Main Body

The legal petition, facilitated by Legal Action Worldwide and local counsel Willis Otieno, seeks the indictment of ten RSF members, some of whom are purportedly resident within Kenya. The allegations pertain to systemic abuses—including electric shocks, thermal injuries, and sexual violence—conducted in the Khartoum region between April 2023 and March 2025. The invocation of Kenya's International Crimes Act of 2008 is predicated on the perceived dysfunction of the Sudanese judiciary and the jurisdictional limitations of the International Criminal Court, which is restricted to the Darfur region.

這份由 Legal Action Worldwide 與當地律師 Willis Otieno 協助的法律請願，旨在起訴十名 RSF 成員，其中部分人員據稱居住在肯亞。相關指控涉及系統性虐待——包括電擊、熱灼傷及性暴力——這些行為發生於 2023 年 4 月至 2025 年 3 月期間的喀土姆地區。援引肯亞 2008 年的《國際罪行法》是基於認為蘇丹司法系統功能失調，以及國際刑事法院的管轄權僅限於達富爾地區。

Historically, the RSF evolved from the Janjaweed militias, which were implicated in early 2000s atrocities in Darfur. The current conflict, which commenced in April 2023, has resulted in an estimated 59,000 fatalities and a humanitarian crisis affecting approximately 34 million persons. The RSF's operational conduct has been characterized by the United Nations and human rights organizations as potentially constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity. Specifically, an October offensive in el-Fasher was described by UN-commissioned experts as possessing the hallmarks of genocide, a designation mirrored by the Biden administration in its imposition of sanctions against RSF leadership.

從歷史上看，RSF 由 Janjaweed 民兵演變而來，而後者涉及 2000 年代初期在達富爾發生的暴行。此次於 2023 年 4 月開始的衝突，已導致估計 59,000 人死亡，並造成影響約 3,400 萬人的人道主義危機。聯合國與人權組織將 RSF 的行動特徵描述為可能構成戰爭罪與危害人類罪。特別是 10 月在 el-Fasher 的進攻，被聯合國委任專家描述為具有種族滅絕的特徵，拜登政府在對 RSF 領導層實施制裁時亦採取了相同定調。

Stakeholder positioning is complicated by the diplomatic rapprochement between the Kenyan state and the RSF. President William Ruto has previously hosted General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo for peace negotiations, a gesture that generated diplomatic friction. Despite these ties, legal representatives argue that the competence of Kenya's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions provides a viable mechanism for addressing impunity regarding international crimes.

由於肯亞政府與 RSF 之間存在外交關係，使得相關方的立場變得複雜。總統 William Ruto 此前曾接待 Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo 將軍進行和平談判，此舉引發了外交摩擦。儘管如此，法律代表認為肯亞檢察總長辦公室的職權，為解決國際罪行逍遙法外之問題提供了一個可行的機制。

Conclusion

Kenyan prosecutors are now petitioned to exercise universal jurisdiction over alleged RSF war crimes as the Sudanese conflict continues to destabilize the region.

隨著蘇丹衝突持續導致該地區動盪，肯亞檢察官現被請願要求對涉嫌 RSF 戰爭罪行行使普遍管轄權。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of Legal and Diplomatic Formalism

To bridge the gap from B2 to C2, a student must move beyond meaning and master register. This text is a masterclass in Nominalization and Euphemistic Precision, where verbs (actions) are converted into nouns (concepts) to strip away emotion and instill a sense of objective, institutional authority.

⚡ The Power of the 'Nominal Heavyweight'

Observe the phrase: "The invocation of Kenya's International Crimes Act of 2008 is predicated on the perceived dysfunction of the Sudanese judiciary."

At a B2 level, a writer might say: "They are using the law because they think the Sudanese courts don't work."

C2 Analysis:

Invocation (instead of 'using'): Shifts the focus from the person to the legal act.
Predicated on (instead of 'based on'): A high-level phrasal adjective indicating a logical or formal foundation.
Perceived dysfunction (instead of 'they think it's broken'): This is the hallmark of C2 diplomacy. By adding "perceived," the writer avoids making a factual claim that could be legally challenged, maintaining a neutral, analytical distance.

🏛️ Lexical Precision: The 'Nuance' Layer

C2 mastery requires selecting words that describe not just a thing, but the status of that thing within a system:

Rapprochement $\rightarrow$ Not just 'friendship' or 'improvement,' but the specific establishment of harmonious relations between nations after a period of tension.
Impunity $\rightarrow$ Not just 'getting away with it,' but the systemic exemption from punishment.
Hallmarks $\rightarrow$ Not just 'signs,' but the definitive, distinguishing characteristics of a specific category (in this case, genocide).

🛠️ Syntactic Compression

Note the use of Participial Adjectives and Complex Modifiers to pack information into a single sentence:

"...a gesture that generated diplomatic friction."

Instead of saying "President Ruto hosted him, and this made other countries angry," the author uses a relative clause to turn an event into a "gesture" and a result into "friction." This removes the 'human' element and replaces it with 'political' elements, which is the essence of professional academic and legal English.

Vocabulary Learning

extraterritorial (adj.)

Exercised outside the local boundaries or territory of a specific country.

Example:The court asserted extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute the war criminal who had fled to a neutral country.

indictment (n.)

A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.

Example:The grand jury handed down an indictment against the corporate executives for systemic fraud.

purportedly (adv.)

According to what is claimed, though not necessarily proven to be true.

Example:The stolen artifacts were purportedly recovered from a private collection in Europe.

predicated (v.)

Based on or dependent on a specific set of circumstances or assumptions.

Example:The success of the new economic policy is predicated on the stability of the global oil market.

hallmarks (n.)

Distinctive characteristics or attributes that identify a particular quality or object.

Example:The meticulous attention to detail is one of the hallmarks of her architectural style.

rapprochement (n.)

An establishment or restoration of harmonious relations between two nations or groups.

Example:The diplomatic rapprochement between the two warring states led to a historic peace treaty.

impunity (n.)

Exemption from punishment or freedom from the consequences of an action.

Example:The dictator ruled for decades with complete impunity, ignoring all international laws.

Practice All words in a crossword→