Sudan has filed a genocide case against the UAE at the ICJ, alleging that the UAE aided the RSF in ethnic attacks against the non-Arab Masalit tribe. The UAE seeks dismissal of the case, calling it baseless. The conflict has resulted in severe humanitarian crises in Sudan, raising concerns over genocidal actions and human rights violations. The ICJ will assess Sudan’s request for emergency measures.
Sudan has initiated legal proceedings against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging violations of the Genocide Convention. The UAE is accused of providing support to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which orchestrated ethnic attacks on the Masalit tribe in West Darfur during 2023. The ICJ acknowledged this case, highlighting the severity of the allegations.
In response, the UAE has announced its intentions to seek an immediate dismissal of the case, asserting that the charges are devoid of any substantial legal or factual basis, according to an Emirati official. The UAE’s stance counters the allegations of complicity, which have been substantiated by UN experts and US lawmakers.
The Sudanese government has regularly accused the UAE of backing the RSF, competitors amidst the ongoing civil conflict. The ICJ’s statement details Sudan’s claims against the RSF, citing genocide, murder, and other serious violations of human rights as part of their accusations against the UAE. Sudan asserts, “all such acts have been ‘perpetrated and enabled by the direct support’ from the UAE.”
An official from the UAE described Sudan’s claims as a “cynical publicity stunt,” intended to distract from the atrocities committed by Sudan’s Armed Forces (SAF). The civil war, ignited by a power struggle between Sudanese armed factions in April 2023, has resulted in significant humanitarian crises, including famine and disease outbreaks in the region.
Attacks have primarily targeted the non-Arab Masalit tribe in West Darfur, leading to severe casualties and crimes against humanity. The ICJ, as the principal judicial body of the UN, will deliberate over Sudan’s request for emergency measures to prohibit further genocidal actions and will subsequently evaluate the validity of the genocide claims.
Although an initial hearing regarding emergency measures is expected to occur within weeks, a conclusive ruling regarding the genocide allegations may take years to finalize. Also, the RSF is reportedly involved in establishing a parallel governmental structure, an action that has received disapproval from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
Sudan’s legal action against the UAE at the ICJ underscores significant allegations of genocide involving the RSF. The UAE has countered these accusations, emphasizing the absence of factual foundation in Sudan’s claims. As ongoing violence continues to affect the region, the ICJ’s forthcoming actions will be critical in determining accountability and potential resolutions to the humanitarian crises in Sudan, particularly concerning ethnic violence in West Darfur.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
