Sudan has filed a case against the UAE at the ICJ for allegedly violating the Genocide Convention by arming the RSF amid ethnic attacks in West Darfur. The UAE seeks dismissal of the case. Sudan accuses the RSF of numerous human rights violations. The ICJ’s decision on emergency measures will come soon, though the final ruling will take years.
Sudan has initiated legal action against the United Arab Emirates at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of breaching the Genocide Convention by allegedly providing arms to the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The ICJ confirmed this development on Thursday, revealing the UAE’s intention to seek dismissal of the case, asserting it lacks any valid legal or factual foundation.
The accusations stem from a series of violent ethnic-based assaults conducted by the RSF alongside allied Arab militias targeting the non-Arab Masalit tribe in West Darfur during 2023. These actions have been acknowledged as genocidal by the United States as of January. The Sudanese foreign ministry has not yet commented on the matter, although a copy of their application has been made accessible to Reuters.
Sudanese officials have persistently accused the UAE of backing the RSF, a rival faction in the ongoing civil war that has plagued the country for nearly two years. Despite the UAE’s denials, these claims have been deemed credible by UN experts and US lawmakers. The ICJ case outlines various accusations against the RSF, including genocide, murder, theft, rape, forced displacement, vandalism, and human rights violations, all allegedly facilitated by the UAE’s support.
An Emirati official remarked that the UAE views Sudan’s application at the ICJ as a publicity stunt intended to obscure the Sudanese Armed Forces’ (SAF) involvement in ongoing atrocities within Sudan. The conflict commenced in April 2023 following a struggle for power over the integration of military forces and has precipitated tremendous human suffering, including widespread hunger and disease.
The ICJ, as the United Nations’ principal court for state disputes and treaty violations, will consider Sudan’s request for emergency measures. The Sudanese government is seeking an order for the UAE to prevent further genocidal acts. While a hearing regarding these interim measures is anticipated within weeks, a final ruling by the court will be delayed, potentially taking years to resolve whether genocide has indeed occurred in Darfur. Meanwhile, the RSF and associated political entities are establishing a rival government to that aligned with the Sudanese army, a move met with resistance from regional powers such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
In summary, Sudan’s legal challenge against the UAE at the ICJ represents a significant international development in response to alleged genocidal acts linked to the conflict in Darfur. With the UAE’s denial of involvement and claims that the Sudanese case lacks merit, the situation poses substantial implications for regional stability and accountability in the ongoing civil strife. The ICJ’s forthcoming decision on emergency measures could impact future actions moving forward, but the comprehensive resolution will undoubtedly require considerable time.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
