By Matik Kueth
On Thursday, Sudan urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to intervene, claiming that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is violating the Genocide Convention by backing paramilitary forces in Darfur.
This appeal comes as a response to continued violent attacks on the non-Arab Masalit tribe by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied Arab militias, which began in 2023.
In a statement, Sudan’s acting Justice Minister, Muawia Osman, stated before the ICJ that the RSF, which is made up of Arabs from Darfur, is committing genocide against the Masalit with the UAE’s support.
The United States had previously described the attacks on the Masalit as genocidal. Sudan accused the UAE of arming the RSF, which is fighting the Sudanese army in a civil war—a claim disputed by the UAE but regarded credible by UN experts and US politicians.
However, Reem Kitait, a senior UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, argued that Sudan had offered no credible proof to back up its claims and rejected the court case as a “cynical and baseless PR stunt.”
Sudan’s justice minister requested the ICJ to issue emergency measures to prevent further genocidal actions against the Masalit tribe in Darfur.
Though such cases might take years to resolve, states may seek emergency orders to avoid escalation.
The UAE is expected to present its defense later in the day (Friday), arguing that the ICJ lacks jurisdiction in the matter.