International Court of Justice declines Sudan's accusation against United Arab Emirates for aiding the Rapid Support Forces in genocide charges.
Title: ICJ Dismisses Sudan's Case Against UAE, Citing Jurisdictional Bar
Oman Al Yahyai – Discuss – Twitter – LinkedIn
Forget about the violence against the Masalit ethnic group in Sudan, as the UAE has dodged the bullet, thanks to a legal loophole that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) couldn't ignore.
Sudan's plea to the ICJ accusing the UAE of violating the Genocide Convention by supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's ongoing conflict has been shot down. The ICJ decided that they had no business hearing the case, as the UAE has put a caveat on its membership to the ICJ that protects it from proceedings under that clause.
Let's break it down:
- The conflict between the two nations has caused disaster. Had it not been for the legal roadblock, the ICJ would have been listening to brutal allegations of the UAE's involvement in the deaths of tens of thousands, displacement of 12.6 million, and famine affecting large parts of Sudan.
- The World Food Programme estimates that almost 25 million people – half of Sudan's population – are grappling with extreme hunger.
- The judges claimed they lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, as the UAE has a reservation that nullifies the court's authority over disputes under the Genocide Convention.
- The ICJ case had been expected to be axed, all thanks to the UAE's reservation, which limits the court's power over Genocide Convention disputes.
Sudan asked the court for emergency orders in March, urging the UAE to cease acts of violence and other crimes against the Masalit ethnic group. The UAE vehemently rejected the accusations and called the move a political maneuver.
"This decision is a clear and decisive affirmation that this case was utterly baseless," said Reem Ketait, a senior official with the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "The Court's finding that it is without jurisdiction confirms that this case should never have been brought."
The UAE brushed off responsibility for the chaos in Sudan and instead pointed the finger at both sides for committing atrocities against civilians.
Don't take my word for it, people! Check out these related headlines:
- Sudan's RSF kill more than 30 people in latest attack in Darfur, activists say
- Leaders meet in London to raise funds for Sudan on the second anniversary of the civil war
Understand the game of reservations played by the UAE and the challenges faced in holding accountable nations who play hide-and-seek with international law.
Related Information:
Sudan: Displacement Camps under Attack
UN Sounds Alarm over Civilian Executions in Sudan
Sudan's Military Regains Control of Republican Palace in Khartoum
- RSF - Sudan
- United Arab Emirates
- United Nations
[1] Reservation to Article Nine of the Genocide Convention - https://www.jstor.org/stable/41962208
- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) dismissed Sudan's case against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), citing a jurisdictional bar due to the UAE's reservation on membership that shields it from proceedings under the Genocide Convention.
- In politics and general news, Sudan requested the ICJ for emergency orders in March, urging the UAE to cease acts of violence and crimes against the Masalit ethnic group, accusations the UAE vehemently rejected as baseless.
- Crime and justice discussions reveal that the UAE has been requested to cease involvement in war-and-conflicts related to the RSF in Sudan, as allegations of involvement in the deaths of tens of thousands, displacement of millions, and famine impacting large parts of Sudan are raised.
- The policy-and-legislation consequences of such reservations and their impact on accountability for nations evading international law have come under scrutiny, as seen in the ICJ case surrounding the UAE and Sudan.
- The UN raises concerns over civilian executions in Sudan, emphasizing the ongoing violence and humanitarian crises faced by displacement camps, which highlights the severity of the war-and-conflicts plaguing Sudan.
