Sudan's Battle Against UAE at the International Court: A Brief Overview
Court of International Justice Dismisses Genocide Accusation Brought Against United Arab Emirates by Sudan
Sudan accused the UAE of complicity in a genocide, alleging that the latter's support for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was fueling the ongoing violence in Sudan. However, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) dismissed the case due to a lack of jurisdiction and insufficient evidence.
The UAE had entered a reservation to a key clause of the UN's Genocide Convention in 2005, which prevents countries from taking other nations to the ICJ over disputes. Since April 2023, Sudan has been gripped by a brutal power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the commander of the RSF, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. This conflict has led to the world's largest displacement and a hunger crisis, with famine officially hitting five areas across Sudan.
The ICJ expressed deep concern about the unfolding human tragedy in Sudan. The North Darfur region has been particularly affected, with at least 542 civilians killed in the past three weeks. Pro-Sudan protesters demonstrated outside the Peace Palace, the seat of the ICJ in The Hague, demanding justice.
During hearings on the case, Sudan's acting justice minister, Muawia Osman, argued that the ongoing genocide would not be possible without UAE complicity. However, the ICJ found that Sudan failed to prove the UAE exercised direct control over the RSF or was responsible for specific genocidal acts against the Masalit people.
The dismissal leaves Sudan without an immediate legal avenue to halt alleged UAE support for the RSF. The ruling underscores challenges in holding external actors accountable amid the war, potentially emboldening the RSF and prolonging violence. With over 24 million people facing acute hunger and displacement, the decision shifts focus to humanitarian needs amid stalled international legal recourse.
Although the ICJ dismissed Sudan's case, the court emphasized that its decision does not address the merits of Sudan’s claims, leaving open the possibility of future legal actions under different jurisdictional frameworks.
Insights from Enrichment Data:
- The ICJ dismissed Sudan's case against the UAE primarily due to jurisdictional limitations and insufficient evidence of direct responsibility for alleged genocide.
- The UAE had entered a reservation to Article IX of the Genocide Convention, which bars the ICJ from exercising jurisdiction over disputes.
- The ICJ found Sudan failed to demonstrate the UAE exercised direct control over the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) or was responsible for specific genocidal acts against the Masalit people.
- The dismissal leaves Sudan without an immediate legal avenue to halt alleged UAE support for the RSF, which Sudan claims fuels atrocities.
- The ruling underscores challenges in holding external actors accountable amid the war, potentially emboldening the RSF and prolonging violence.
- With over 24 million people facing acute hunger and displacement, the decision shifts focus to humanitarian needs amid stalled international legal recourse.
- The ICJ emphasized that its decision does not address the merits of Sudan's claims, leaving open the possibility of future legal actions under different jurisdictional frameworks.
- Despite Sudan accusing the UAE of complicity in a genocide in Darfur, Africa, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) dismissed the case due to a lack of jurisdiction and insufficient evidence.
- The ICJ's dismissal leaves Sudan without an immediate legal avenue to halt alleged UAE support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which Sudan claims fuels atrocities.
- The UAE had entered a reservation to Article IX of the Genocide Convention in 2005, preventing countries from taking other nations to the ICJ over disputes.
- With over 24 million people facing acute hunger and displacement, the decision shifts focus to humanitarian needs amid stalled international legal recourse.
- The ICJ found that Sudan failed to prove the UAE exercised direct control over the RSF or was responsible for specific genocidal acts against the Masalit people.
- Pro-Sudan protesters demonstrated outside the Peace Palace, the seat of the ICJ in The Hague, demanding justice for the ongoing violence in Sudan.
