ICJ dismisses Sudan’s genocide case against UAE over alleged Darfur interference

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) dismissed Sudan's case against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on May 5. Sudan accused the UAE of fueling genocide in Darfur by supplying weapons to paramilitary forces. The court stated it lacked jurisdiction over the case.

Sudan argued that the UAE violated the Genocide Convention by supporting these forces. However, the UAE requested that the case be dismissed. The ICJ agreed with the UAE and rejected Sudan's request for emergency measures.

The court removed the case from its docket. A summary of the ruling noted that "the court is precluded by its statute from taking any position on the merits of the claims made by Sudan."

On May 6, Sudan responded to the dismissal. They stated it does not absolve the UAE of genocide allegations. Sudan pledged to pursue all legal avenues to protect its people and state.

The UAE celebrated this dismissal as a legal victory. Reem Ketait, a deputy assistant minister in the UAE, called it a clear affirmation that Sudan's case was baseless. She emphasized that "the facts speak for themselves" regarding their lack of responsibility for conflict in Sudan.

The ICJ voted 14-to-two against Sudan's request for emergency measures. This request aimed to prevent genocidal acts against the Masalit tribe amid ongoing ethnic attacks by paramilitary forces and allied militias.

Sudan accuses the UAE of arming these paramilitary forces, known as RSF, during a two-year civil war. The UAE denies these charges, but some U.N. experts and U.S. lawmakers find them credible based on human rights reports.

A recent U.N. report did not mention the UAE directly but referred to its involvement in peace talks in Sudan. The ICJ is responsible for resolving disputes between states and addressing violations of international treaties.

Both Sudan and the UAE are signatories of the 1948 Genocide Convention.