Sudan Files Genocide Case Against UAE at the ICJ for Alleged RSF Support

Sudan has filed a case against the UAE at the ICJ, alleging the violation of the Genocide Convention through support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The UAE plans to seek dismissal, claiming the accusations lack legal merit. Sudan accuses the RSF of committing serious crimes, while the ICJ may soon hear emergency measures related to these allegations.

Sudan has initiated legal proceedings against the United Arab Emirates at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing the UAE of violating the Genocide Convention by allegedly providing arms to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The ICJ disclosed that Sudan’s case stems from ethnic-based assaults by the RSF and allied militias against the non-Arab Masalit tribe in West Darfur, which have been classified as genocide by the United States in January 2023.

The UAE has vowed to contest the charges vigorously, arguing that the case lacks substantive legal and factual support, as declared by an Emirati official. Sudan claims that the RSF has been engaged in various heinous acts including genocide, murder, and violations of human rights, all purportedly facilitated by support from the UAE.

Sudan’s foreign ministry has yet to comment on the situation following the filed case. However, UN experts and US legislators have noted the credibility of Sudan’s allegations against the UAE regarding its backing of the RSF, who are in direct opposition to the Sudanese government amid a prolonged civil conflict.

In light of these allegations, the ICJ is being petitioned to impose emergency measures requiring the UAE to halt acts of genocide. The court is expected to conduct a preliminary hearing within weeks, although a conclusive ruling regarding the allegations in Darfur may take several years. This ongoing conflict has triggered severe humanitarian crises, including widespread hunger and disease, further complicating the situation with interventions from various foreign nations.

Sudan’s legal claim against the UAE at the ICJ raises significant concerns regarding international obligations under the Genocide Convention. The UAE’s denial of the allegations showcases the contentious dynamics of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, where the RSF has been implicated in severe human rights violations. The case emphasizes the need for oversight from international bodies to address and potentially remediate claims of genocide, with the implications of the court’s eventual ruling on the regional stability and humanitarian situation remaining a critical consideration.

Original Source: www.dawn.com