Sudan Files Genocide Case Against UAE at ICJ Over RSF Support

Sudan has filed a case against the UAE at the ICJ, alleging violations of the Genocide Convention through support for the RSF. The UAE plans to dismiss the case, asserting a lack of legal basis. Sudan’s accusations stem from recent genocidal attacks on the Masalit tribe in West Darfur. As the ICJ considers Sudan’s request for emergency measures, the humanitarian crisis continues to unfold.

Sudan has initiated a case against the United Arab Emirates at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), claiming that the UAE has violated its obligations under the Genocide Convention by allegedly providing support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The UAE has countered this assertion, stating it will seek immediate dismissal of the case as it purportedly lacks both legal and factual basis.

The charges are specifically tied to egregious ethnic-based attacks conducted by the RSF and allied Arab militias against the Masalit tribe in West Darfur in 2023. These assaults were classified as genocide by the United States earlier this year, and Sudanese officials have frequently accused the UAE of aiding the RSF amidst an ongoing civil war, allegations that U.N. experts and U.S. lawmakers have found credible.

In its application to the ICJ, Sudan condemns the RSF for various crimes, including genocide, murder, and human rights violations, asserting that these acts were facilitated by direct support from the UAE. An official from the UAE responded, describing the legal filing as “a cynical publicity stunt” intended to distract from the Sudanese Armed Forces’ involvement in ongoing atrocities across Sudan.

The conflict ignited in April 2023 due to a power struggle related to the integration of armed forces, leading to a devastating humanitarian crisis marked by widespread hunger and disease. Most notably, the violence in West Darfur has seen targeted killings of young Masalit men and sexual violence against women, significantly escalating following the outbreak of hostilities.

As signatories to the 1948 Genocide Convention, both Sudan and the UAE are obligated to adhere to its principles. Sudan is seeking emergency measures from the ICJ to compel the UAE to prevent further acts of genocide. Although a preliminary hearing regarding these measures is anticipated within weeks, a thorough ruling from the court may take several years.

In summary, Sudan’s case against the UAE at the ICJ highlights serious accusations concerning support for the RSF amid ongoing atrocities in Darfur. The situation underscores the complexities of the civil conflict, as both nations are bound by the Genocide Convention. As the ICJ processes the case, the humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, necessitating urgent global attention and intervention.

Original Source: www.dawn.com