UAE Denounces Sudan’s Genocide Case at ICJ as a “Publicity Stunt”

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strongly condemned Sudan’s decision to file a case against it at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), calling it a “cynical publicity stunt” and vowing to seek its “immediate dismissal,” as per Al Jazeera.

Sudan’s case accuses the UAE of violating the Genocide Convention by allegedly providing “direct support” to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), thereby implicating the UAE in genocidal acts allegedly committed by the RSF against the Masalit people of Darfur.

UAE Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash responded to the accusations on X:

“Sudan’s priority should be to cease fire in this absurd and destructive war and address the massive humanitarian catastrophe.”

He further accused the Sudanese army of pursuing “feeble media maneuvers to justify their rejection of peace and the political path.”

The conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese army has raged for nearly two years, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and displacing over 12 million people. Famine has been declared in parts of the country and is expected to worsen.

The fighting, which began in Sudan’s capital Khartoum, has led to a collapse of state infrastructure and spread throughout the country, particularly impacting the Darfur region. Darfur has a long history of inter-tribal conflict over land and resources, exacerbated by political and security elites who have historically used these tensions to maintain power and suppress rebellions.

Reports indicate that the RSF and allied fighters, primarily from nomadic “Arab” tribes, have targeted the sedentary “non-Arab” Masalit people in Darfur in violent confrontations described by some observers as genocidal.

The RSF denies any involvement in attacks against civilians in Darfur, although it recently attacked the Zamzam refugee camp near el-Fasher in North Darfur.

In January, the United States accused the RSF of committing genocide in Darfur.

Sudan is requesting the ICJ, the UN’s top court for disputes between nations, to issue provisional measures compelling the UAE to pay reparations and ensure that any armed units or individuals directed, supported, or influenced by the UAE refrain from committing acts proscribed by the Genocide Convention against the Masalit.

While ICJ rulings are legally binding, the court lacks the power to enforce them. The outcome of the case remains to be seen, but it highlights the escalating tensions surrounding the conflict in Sudan and the accusations of foreign involvement in the ongoing violence.