Sudan has filed a case against the UAE at the ICJ for alleged support of the RSF, which led to genocidal attacks against the Masalit tribe. The UAE will seek to dismiss the case, claiming it lacks merit. Sudan accuses the RSF of various human rights violations, asking for emergency measures from the court as the conflict continues to exacerbate humanitarian crises in the region.
Sudan has initiated legal proceedings against the United Arab Emirates at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), claiming that the UAE has breached the Genocide Convention by providing support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The UAE is contesting the case, asserting that it is devoid of any legal or factual merit, according to an official statement to Reuters.
The allegations stem from severe ethnically motivated assaults by the RSF and allied Arab militias against the non-Arab Masalit tribe in West Darfur during 2023, which the United States classified as genocide earlier this year. The Sudanese government has consistently accused the UAE of backing the RSF, despite UAE denials, though UN experts and US legislators have deemed the accusations credible.
Sudan’s claims include a range of serious offenses, such as genocide, murder, theft, and violations of human rights, attributed to the purported support provided to the RSF by the UAE. An Emirati official dismissed these claims as a publicity stunt intended to distract from the Sudanese Armed Forces’ involvement in ongoing atrocities in the country.
The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF escalated following a struggle for control over military integration in April 2023, leading to widespread devastation, famine, and disease. The ICJ, as the United Nations’ principal court for state disputes and treaty violations, is now tasked with examining Sudan’s request for emergency measures against the UAE to curtail such acts of genocide.
Although a hearing on these emergency measures is anticipated within weeks, it may take years before the ICJ reaches a final decision regarding the allegations of genocide in Darfur. Meanwhile, the RSF is establishing a parallel governing structure in Port Sudan, a move opposed by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
In summary, Sudan’s legal action against the UAE at the ICJ centers on accusations of genocide and support for the RSF during the ongoing conflict. The complexities of the case highlight the intricate web of international relationships and conflicts in the region. As Sudan seeks urgent measures from the ICJ, the implications of these proceedings could have far-reaching effects on both nations and the crisis in Darfur.
Original Source: www.dawn.com