The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced on Thursday that Sudan has filed a case against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing it of arming the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention in relation to attacks in West Darfur state.
In a statement, the ICJ said Sudan alleges that the UAE’s support for the RSF has enabled ethnic-based attacks in West Darfur, particularly in the capital Geneina, where the RSF and allied Arab militias targeted the Masalit community in 2023.
“According to Sudan, all such acts have been ‘perpetrated and enabled by the direct support given to the rebel RSF militia and related militia groups by the United Arab Emirates,’” the ICJ stated.
The UAE, however, has dismissed the case as baseless. In a statement, the UAE said it would seek immediate dismissal of the case, describing it as lacking any legal or factual foundation.
Sudanese officials have repeatedly accused the UAE of supporting the RSF, which has been engaged in a nearly two-year civil war against the Sudanese Armed Forces. The Sudanese foreign ministry has yet to comment on the ICJ filing.
The conflict in West Darfur has been marked by widespread violence, with reports of mass killings, displacement, and human rights abuses. The ICJ case highlights the escalating tensions between Sudan and the UAE, as well as the broader regional implications of the ongoing civil war.
DAILY MENTOR reports that the filing at the ICJ underscores Sudan’s efforts to hold external actors accountable for their alleged roles in the conflict. The case is expected to draw significant international attention as it progresses, with potential implications for diplomatic relations and regional stability.