Sudan has formally accused the United Arab Emirates of aiding and abetting what it describes as an ongoing campaign of genocide in Darfur, bringing its claims before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a high-stakes legal move aimed at halting atrocities on the ground.
Sudan’s Justice Minister Muawia Osman told the ICJ that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—a paramilitary group composed largely of fighters from West Darfur’s Arab communities—were systematically targeting the Masalit ethnic group in acts of mass violence. He asserted that the UAE has played a direct role by providing logistical backing and broader support to the RSF.
“Between 10,000 and 15,000 Masalit civilians were killed in West Darfur in 2024 alone,” Osman said. “And with the rebels now threatening El Fasher in North Darfur, we are facing the risk of another massacre.”
Osman warned that the UAE’s alleged involvement has fueled a humanitarian catastrophe, citing widespread killings, mass displacement, sexual violence, and destruction of civilian property across conflict zones.
The Sudanese government submitted its case to the ICJ last month, accusing the UAE of violating its international responsibilities under the 1948 UN Genocide Convention.
However, the UAE has dismissed the accusations outright. Reem Ketait, a senior official with the UAE Foreign Ministry, rejected the claims as “a cynical and unfounded publicity move” during a press briefing before the hearing.
As conflict continues to engulf Darfur, the ICJ case adds new diplomatic pressure on regional actors and raises the stakes for international accountability amid one of Sudan’s deadliest chapters in recent history.
