Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein

Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein (; born 1949) is a Sudanese politician and the former Governor of Khartoum State. Hussein served as the longstanding Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Sudan. Hussein also served for a period as the Minister of Interior Affairs. During his term as Minister of Interior Affairs, he opened the Rabat University. Hussein was arrested in early April 2019 following a coup on 11 April which overthrew longtime president Omar al-Bashir.

Early life Hussein was born in 1949 Kerma, part of Northern State. In 1964 he began his secondary education in Khartoum. It was here that he became an Islamist and also where he met and became close friends with Omar al-Bashir. He played a major role in the 1989 Sudanese coup d'état, and afterwards in 1990 became Secretary-General of the Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation; the ruling authority of Sudan between 1989 and 1993. It became the first time since 1989 that Hussein was not part of the government.

Governor of Khartoum State Immediately after losing his position as Minister of Defence Hussein was named governor of Khartoum State. In 2017 he ordered the deportation of illegal foreigners in Khartoum, citing security concerns.

2019 arrest On 11 April 2019, al-Bashir was overthrown in a coup and Hussein was soon afterwards arrested.

On 15 April 2023, Hussein together with al-Bashir and at least three other allies, were moved from Kobar Prison to a military hospital. On 26 April, he and his allies were reported to have escaped from prison amid the breakout of the civil war.

War crimes allegations On 2 December 2011, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court of the investigating the situation in Darfur, Luis Moreno Ocampo, requested a Pre-Trial Chamber of the Court to issue an arrest warrant against Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

On 1 March 2012, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Hussein, charging with 20 counts of crimes against humanity and 21 counts of war crimes. As one of Bashir's closest allies, Hussein is accused of recruiting, arming and funding police forces and the Janjaweed militia in Darfur and also reported to be leading a campaign against rebels in the south.

In 2013 Human Rights Watch called upon Chad to arrest Hussein who was in the country for a conference.