Sudan files case against UAE at World Court

Sudan Files Genocide Case Against UAE at World Court Over Alleged RSF Support

At the International Court of Justice (ICJ), also referred to as the World Court, Sudan has filed a lawsuit against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), alleging that the Gulf state violated the Genocide Convention by allegedly supplying military assistance to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF is accused of participating in mass murders in Sudan’s Darfur area, specifically targeting the non-Arab Masalit group.

The UAE strongly denied the accusations and promised to have the lawsuit dismissed right away. According to a UAE source who spoke to Reuters, the case has no “legal or factual basis” and is merely a “publicity stunt” intended to divert attention away from the alleged atrocities committed by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in the ongoing civil war.

Allegations and Background of the Case
The government of Sudan argues that the UAE has directly contributed to the atrocities carried out by the RSF, including rape, murder, forced relocation, looting, property destruction, and abuses of human rights. Originating from the infamous Janjaweed militias that fought in the Darfur conflict in the early 2000s, the RSF has been involved in a bloody power struggle with the Sudanese army since April 2023.

In January 2024, the United States officially declared the conflict in West Darfur to be genocide after extensive investigations revealed that the Masalid people were victims of systematic atrocities. The horrific events described by victims included the targeted killing of young boys and widespread sexual violence against women.

For months, Sudanese authorities have accused the United Arab Emirates of arming and funding the RSF, a charge that Emirati officials have consistently denied. Nevertheless, allegations by U.S. lawmakers and U.N. experts suggest there is solid evidence linking RSF activities to the UAE.

Legal and Diplomatic Ramifications
Sudan’s petition to the ICJ requests emergency measures to prevent further acts of genocide and demands that the UAE halt any alleged support to the RSF. While the court may hold an initial hearing within weeks to determine whether emergency action is needed, a final ruling on the case is expected to take years. If the ICJ rules in Sudan’s favor, it would set important precedents for international legal accountability and foreign involvement in internal conflicts.

The UAE has consistently called for a ceasefire in Sudan and has prioritized humanitarian aid over military action. The case could damage its reputation abroad, as the Gulf state has positioned itself as a diplomatic mediator in several regional conflicts.

Rising tensions and global concerns
Sudan is currently facing a severe humanitarian catastrophe as a result of the civil war between the military and the RSF, with millions of people displaced, food insecurity and disease outbreaks on the rise. This violence has been most severe in West Darfur, the focal point of the RSF’s purported genocidal campaign.
The bloodshed is most pronounced in West Darfur, the suspected epicenter of the RSF’s genocidal campaign.

The power struggle has also drawn in a number of foreign actors, complicating diplomatic efforts for peace. The RSF and its supporters are said to be trying to install a rival government to overthrow the military-aligned government in Port Sudan. Regional countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt have rejected the moves, raising tensions.

It remains unclear how the international community will react to Sudan’s accusations against the UAE, and whether the legal action will have an impact on the ongoing conflict and humanitarian operations in the war-torn country, as the case continues at the ICJ.