On 1 March 2019, President Omar al-Bashir handed over the running of the country's leading political party, the National Congress, to him.

Haroun allegedly recruited, funded and armed the Janjaweed militia, and incited numerous attacks against civilian populations.

"[13] After his speech, the Janjaweed militia, under the command of Ali Kushayb, looted the towns between Bindisi and Mukjar, and terrorized civilians.

[13] Haroun supposedly declared in one of his meetings that as the head of security he had the authority to eliminate or pardon anyone in order to maintain peace and safety.

[14] In August 2003, Haroun was further accused of the forcible transfer of about 20,000 civilians, primarily Fur people, from the Kodoom villages and surrounding areas.

[5] News reports also allege that Haroun and fellow Janjaweed militia leader Ali Kushayb forced the displacement of 34,000 civilians in March 2008 from their homes.

[17] Despite international calls for his arrest,[18] Haroun continued to serve as minister of state for humanitarian affairs (which is a post below the full ministerial level).

[25][26] In April 2019, Haroun was arrested by local authorities in Sudan following the 2019 Sudanese coup d'état, which overthrew Omar al-Bashir.

Haroun is portrayed by the US State Department as having recruited, financed and armed the sinister Janjaweed militia who participated in atrocities including murder, rape, torture, forced deportations and other inhumane treatment in Darfur in the 2000s.