Sudan Accuses UAE of Violating Genocide Convention at The Hague

On April 10, 2025, Sudan presented its case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accusing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention. Sudan alleges that the UAE provided financial and military support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group implicated in genocidal acts against the non-Arab Masalit tribe in West Darfur during 2023.

The RSF, originally formed from Janjaweed fighters by former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, has been accused of numerous human rights abuses. In 2023, the RSF and allied militias reportedly conducted systematic attacks against the Masalit people in West Darfur, including mass executions, rapes, and the destruction of property, leading to the displacement of over 570,000 individuals. These attacks were documented by Reuters and recognized by the United States in January 2024 as acts of genocide.

Sudan's application to the ICJ contends that the UAE's support for the RSF facilitated these genocidal acts. Sudan has requested provisional measures from the ICJ to compel the UAE to halt its support for the RSF. The UAE has denied these allegations, dismissing the case as a politically motivated stunt and asserting that the court lacks jurisdiction. Legal experts note that the UAE's reservation to the Genocide Convention may limit the ICJ's authority in this matter.

The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has resulted in over 24,000 deaths and displaced more than 14 million people. Both the Sudanese military and the RSF have been accused of serious abuses during this period. The United States has imposed sanctions on RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa and affiliated companies, labeling the RSF's actions as genocide. The international community has called for investigations into these atrocities, with Human Rights Watch urging the United Nations, African Union, and International Criminal Court to take action.

The ICJ's decision on this case could have significant implications for international law and the enforcement of the Genocide Convention. It also underscores the complexities of foreign involvement in internal conflicts and the challenges of holding states accountable for alleged support of genocidal acts.