International Court of Justice Dismisses Sudan’s Case Against UAE Over Genocide Claims

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) dismissed a case filed by Sudan accusing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of violating the UN Genocide Convention by arming and funding the rebel paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, as per Al Jazeera.

On Monday, the ICJ ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the case and threw out Sudan’s request. The court’s decision was based on the UAE’s carveout from the jurisdiction of the court under the 1948 Genocide Convention.

Sudan had filed a case in March, asking the ICJ to order the UAE to take measures to prevent the killing of the Masalit people in Darfur and other crimes committed by the RSF. Sudan argued that the UAE’s support for the RSF was exacerbating the violence. The UAE, however, rejected the claim, calling it a publicity stunt and arguing that the court had no jurisdiction over the case.

The ICJ sided with the UAE, ruling that it was “precluded by its statute from taking any position on the merits of the claims made by Sudan.” The court’s ruling emphasized that the UAE’s carveout under the Genocide Convention prevented the court from handling the case.

In response, Reem Ketait, deputy assistant minister for political affairs at the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hailed the ruling as a victory. “This decision is a clear and decisive affirmation of the fact that this case was utterly baseless,” Ketait said. She added that the UAE had no responsibility for the conflict in Sudan, asserting that the atrocities committed were well-documented and the UAE was not involved in the war.

The UAE has consistently denied allegations that it has armed the RSF, despite evidence suggesting its involvement. The RSF, a powerful paramilitary group in Sudan, has been accused of committing ethnic-based attacks, particularly targeting the Masalit tribe in Darfur.

Sudan’s civil war erupted in mid-April 2023, as tensions between the Sudanese military and the RSF turned into full-scale fighting in Khartoum and spread across other regions of the country. Both factions have faced accusations of human rights abuses during the conflict.

The UAE, a key US ally in the region, has faced increasing scrutiny over its ties to the RSF but continues to deny direct involvement in the conflict. Despite the court’s ruling, Sudan has vowed to continue its efforts to seek justice for the victims of the ongoing violence in Darfur.