Sudan has filed a case against the UAE at the ICJ, alleging support for the RSF’s ethnic attacks against the Masalit tribe, classified as genocide. The UAE seeks to dismiss the claims as unfounded. The ICJ is expected to rule on emergency measures soon, while the overall case may take years to resolve.
Sudan has initiated proceedings against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) due to alleged violations under the Genocide Convention. Specifically, Sudan accuses the UAE of arming the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which are implicated in ethnic-based attacks against the non-Arab Masalit tribe in West Darfur during 2023, classified as genocide by the United States earlier this year.
In response, the UAE has stated its intent to dismiss the case, asserting it lacks both legal and factual merit, according to an Emirati official’s statement to Reuters. Sudan’s foreign ministry has not yet commented on the matter, though the application for the case has been viewed by Reuters.
Over the past two years, Sudanese officials have repeatedly accused the UAE of supporting the RSF, which opposes the Sudanese government in an ongoing civil conflict, allegations that are corroborated by UN experts and US lawmakers, despite UAE’s denials. The ICJ complaint includes claims of genocide, murder, property theft, and human rights violations against the RSF, purportedly enabled by the UAE.
An official from the UAE described Sudan’s case as a “cynical publicity stunt” intended to distract from the Sudanese Armed Forces’ (SAF) involvement in atrocities in the country. The conflict, ignited by a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the RSF in April 2023, has led to widespread devastation, as well as escalating ethnic violence, particularly in West Darfur.
The ICJ serves as the UN’s principal judicial body for state disputes and treaty violations, with both Sudan and the UAE being parties to the 1948 Genocide Convention. Sudan is requesting immediate emergency measures to prevent further acts of genocide by the UAE, although a final ruling from the ICJ on this matter is not expected for several years.
In summary, Sudan has brought forth a serious case against the UAE at the ICJ, alleging violations of the Genocide Convention related to the RSF’s actions in Darfur. While the UAE refutes these claims as baseless, there exists substantial international scrutiny regarding its involvement in the ongoing conflict. The case underscores the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan and the complexities surrounding international accountability for genocide allegations.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
