KHARTOUM, Sudan — Sudan has initiated legal proceedings against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging that the Gulf nation violated the Genocide Convention by arming and financing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of committing atrocities in the Darfur region.
The Sudanese government contends that the UAE’s support enabled the RSF to perpetrate acts of genocide, murder, rape, and other human rights violations against the Masalit tribe in West Darfur during 2023. These allegations are substantiated by reports documenting ethnic-based attacks by the RSF and allied militias, which led the United States to designate the violence as genocide in January 2025.
In its application to the ICJ, Sudan seeks emergency measures to compel the UAE to halt any actions that could facilitate further genocidal acts. The court, recognized as the United Nations’ highest judicial authority, is expected to schedule hearings on these provisional measures in the coming weeks. However, a final ruling on the case may take several years.
The UAE has firmly denied the accusations, dismissing them as a “cynical publicity stunt” aimed at diverting attention from alleged atrocities committed by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). A UAE official stated that the case lacks any legal or factual basis and reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to supporting peace and stability in Sudan.
This legal action comes amid escalating tensions, as the RSF and allied political groups recently signed a charter in Nairobi, Kenya, to establish a “Government of Peace and Unity” in territories under their control. The charter advocates for a secular, democratic, and decentralized Sudan, proposing the formation of a unified national army while allowing existing armed groups to maintain their forces temporarily. The RSF asserts that this move aims to unify the country and end the ongoing war, criticizing the army-aligned government based in Port Sudan for failing to achieve these objectives.
The Sudanese Foreign Ministry has condemned the formation of a parallel government as an “act of hostility,” accusing Kenya of violating international law by hosting the RSF-led conference. In response, Sudan recalled its ambassador to Kenya and is considering imposing a ban on Kenyan goods entering the country.
The ongoing civil war, which erupted in April 2023 due to a power struggle between the SAF and the RSF, has devastated Sudan, leading to widespread ethnic violence, particularly in West Darfur. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 14 million people, exacerbating hunger and disease across the nation.
The African Union Peace and Security Council has expressed grave concern over the RSF’s attempts to establish a parallel government, urging member states not to recognize any such entity. Similarly, the Arab League has voiced strong disapproval of actions that could undermine Sudan’s unity or lead to its division.
As the ICJ prepares to address Sudan’s allegations against the UAE, the outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future stability of Sudan.
