Sudan has lodged a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of violating the Genocide Convention by providing “direct support” to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
The ICJ announced on Thursday that Sudan’s case concerns acts allegedly committed by the RSF and allied armed groups, including genocide, murder, property theft, rape, forcible displacement, vandalism, and human rights violations, particularly targeting the Masalit people of Darfur.
Sudan’s Allegations and the UAE’s Response
According to Sudan, the UAE has been “complicit in the genocide on the Masalit” by offering substantial financial, political, and military support to the RSF. The Sudanese government argues that the UAE’s involvement has fueled violence and contributed to the atrocities committed against the Masalit community.
In response, the UAE dismissed the case as “nothing more than a cynical publicity stunt” and vowed to seek its immediate dismissal. The UAE has repeatedly denied allegations of supporting the RSF.
Widespread Devastation in Sudan
For nearly two years, Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal war between the RSF and the Sudanese army, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of more than 12 million people. Famine has been declared in parts of the country, with conditions expected to deteriorate further.
The war has led to the total collapse of the state, with fighting spreading beyond Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, into Darfur, a region historically plagued by inter-tribal violence over land and resources. The RSF and its allied fighters—mainly from nomadic “Arab” tribes—have been accused of targeting the predominantly “non-Arab” Masalit population in what some observers describe as genocide.
The RSF has denied involvement in civilian attacks in Darfur, yet reports indicate that it has surrounded and attacked the Zamzam refugee camp near El-Fasher in North Darfur.
US Accusations and Legal Action
In January 2025, the United States formally accused the RSF of committing genocide in Darfur, further escalating international scrutiny. Sudan has now turned to the ICJ, requesting provisional measures against the UAE, including reparations and an order to cease any support for irregular armed groups involved in the conflict.
Sudan also called on the UAE to prevent any entities under its influence from committing acts prohibited by the Genocide Convention.
The Role of the International Court of Justice
The ICJ, which adjudicates disputes between nations, has the authority to issue legally binding rulings. However, it lacks the means to enforce them. This has been demonstrated in previous cases—such as its orders for Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine and for Israel to increase aid to Gaza—which have largely gone unheeded.
The outcome of Sudan’s case remains uncertain, but it marks a significant escalation in the international legal battle over Sudan’s devastating conflict. As the war rages on, the Masalit people continue to face severe persecution, and the humanitarian crisis in Sudan deepens.
