The World Court turns down Sudan's dispute claim against the United Arab Emirates.
Unleashed Verdict: ICJ Rejects Sudan's Genocide Complicity Accusation Against UAE
Here's the lowdown on the latest ICJ ruling and the backstory behind the dust-up between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE):
The Hatfield's Ruckus
The ongoing civil war in Sudan, ignited in April 2023, has been tearing the country apart. Meanwhile, the power struggle between Sudan's army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), helmed by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has resulted in unspeakable human suffering, including over 542 civilian deaths in North Darfur within the past three weeks[1].
Sudanium Complaint against the UAE
In March, Sudan brought a complaint before the ICJ in The Hague against the UAE, accusing them of complicity in genocide. The allegation stemmed from the UAE's presumed support for the RSF, which Sudan claims is committing genocide against the Masalit ethnic group in West Darfur[1][3].
Genocide Convention Invoked
Sudan invoked the Genocide Convention, alleging UAE violations through direct support for atrocities committed by the RSF[3]. The case implored the UAE to halt its support and pay reparations, including compensation to victims of the war.
Emirati Response
The UAE dismissed the accusations as misleading or fabricated, maintaining that they were merely a ploy to divert attention away from the efforts to end the war[1].
ICJ Ruling
On May 5, 2025, the ICJ dismissed the case, stating it lacked jurisdiction to proceed[3][4]. Although the judges did not rule on the merits of the genocide claims, procedural barriers prevented further hearings. The UAE's earlier denial of RSF support has been affirmed in the ruling.
The Humanitarian Impact
At present, the war in Sudan constitutes the world's largest displacement crisis, with 24 million people requiring humanitarian assistance. Famine conditions and the impending rainy season risk exacerbating food insecurity[3].
Ramifications
With the dismissal of the case, Sudan no longer has a legal avenue at the ICJ to address UAE involvement in the ongoing genocide allegations, leaving the issue still unresolved[3]. The ruling underscores the challenges of prosecuting complicity under international law.
- Despite the ICJ's dismissal of Sudan's genocide complicity accusation against the UAE, the ongoing civil war in Sudan continues to be the world's largest displacement crisis, with 24 million people requiring humanitarian assistance.
- The ICJ, in its ruling on May 5, 2025, dismissed Sudan's complaint against the UAE, stating it lacked jurisdiction to proceed, thus leaving the issue of UAE involvement in the alleged genocide still unresolved.
- The UAE, in response to the ICJ ruling, maintained their earlier denial of providing support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group Sudan has accused of committing genocide against the Masalit ethnic group in West Darfur.
- In a political move that has drawn criticism, Sudan invoked the Genocide Convention in March 2023, accusing the UAE of complicity in genocide, and implored the UAE to halt its support and pay reparations, including compensation to victims of the war.
