Sudan has filed a case against the UAE at the International Court of Justice for allegedly violating the Genocide Convention by supporting the RSF. The UAE plans to dismiss the case, asserting it has no factual basis. The charges relate to recent ethnic violence against the Masalit tribe in West Darfur, classified as genocide by the U.S. Sudan seeks urgent measures from the court to prevent further acts of genocide.
Sudan has initiated legal proceedings against the United Arab Emirates at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of violating the Genocide Convention by supplying arms to the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF). According to the ICJ, the UAE intends to promptly dismiss the case, stating it lacks both legal and factual merit.
The allegations arise from violent ethnic attacks perpetrated by the RSF and allied militias against the Masalit tribe in West Darfur during 2023, which the United States classified as genocidal in January. Sudanese authorities consistently assert that the UAE has provided support to the RSF, previously identified as their opponents in the ongoing civil conflict. This claim, however, is disputed by the UAE, although United Nations experts and U.S. lawmakers have deemed it credible.
The ICJ’s document outlines Sudan’s accusations against the RSF, including genocide, murder, theft, rape, forcible displacement, and human rights violations. Sudan argues that these acts have been enabled by the UAE’s direct support to the RSF and its associated militias.
A UAE official remarked that the case represents a strategic diversion intended to shift focus from the Sudanese Armed Forces’ participation in ongoing atrocities. The UAE emphasizes its commitment to alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, advocating for an immediate ceasefire.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 following a power struggle over military integration, has resulted in widespread devastation, exacerbating famine and disease and threatening national disintegration. The violence has particularly afflicted West Darfur, with testimonies indicating targeted killings and sexual assaults against the Masalit people.
The ICJ functions as a forum for resolving disputes between nations and adjudicating breaches of international treaties, and both Sudan and the UAE are signatories to the 1948 Genocide Convention. Sudan is seeking immediate measures from the court to prevent further acts of genocide.
While a hearing regarding these emergency measures is anticipated within weeks, the process leading to a final decision from the court may span several years, potentially determining the genocidal status of the events in Darfur. The RSF, supported by allied factions, is reportedly attempting to establish a parallel governance structure, an initiative opposed by regional powerhouses such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
This legal action marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Sudan and the UAE, particularly amidst allegations of genocide and arming of militia groups. Sudan’s claims against the UAE at the ICJ reflect complex geopolitical dynamics and humanitarian crises within the region, with potential long-term ramifications for international law and regional stability. The forthcoming hearings will be critical in shaping the responses and responsibilities of the involved parties.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
