Sudan has taken its conflict with the United Arab Emirates to the world stage, accusing Abu Dhabi of aiding paramilitary forces responsible for mass atrocities in Darfur. The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) opened hearings this week into Sudan’s request for emergency measures against the UAE.
According to Sudanese officials, the UAE’s alleged military and logistical support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has made it complicit in what Khartoum calls a campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide targeting the Masalit community in West Darfur.
Sudan’s Information Minister, Khalid al-Aiser, stated during a press briefing in Khartoum that his country possesses “sufficient evidence” implicating the UAE in the escalation of the war. He said the UAE’s actions have “violated international norms” and contributed to crimes that may be prosecutable at the international level.
The Sudanese government has asked the ICJ to impose provisional measures that would include emergency orders, reparations, and formal acknowledgment of the alleged violations.
The UAE, which denies any involvement in the Sudan conflict, has dismissed the case as “politically motivated” and says it intends to challenge the jurisdiction of the court and seek dismissal of the proceedings.
The conflict in Sudan, now nearing its second year, pits the national army against the RSF in a struggle for power that has devastated the country. More than 12 million people have been displaced, tens of thousands killed, and parts of the country are facing famine, according to UN agencies.
In January 2024, UN experts said they found credible evidence of arms transfers to the RSF via Chad, a route that Sudan alleges was coordinated by the UAE. Sudan’s legal team has referenced these findings in its case at the ICJ.
While ICJ rulings are legally binding, enforcement depends on the cooperation of international bodies and the involved states, adding further complexity to what is likely to be a drawn-out legal and diplomatic battle.