Sudan has raised grave accusations against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), claiming that its support for paramilitary groups is the “primary driving force” behind violent atrocities committed against the Masalit people in Darfur. The Sudanese government has called upon the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue emergency orders to compel the UAE to cease its support for these paramilitaries, aiming to halt the killings and other crimes targeting the affected community.
In response, the UAE has firmly denied providing assistance to the paramilitary forces, dismissing Sudan’s allegations as unfounded. The ICJ has mechanisms for countries to request urgent orders to prevent ongoing atrocities during conflicts, as cases before the court can take years to resolve.
Sudan brought its legal action before the ICJ, accusing the UAE of backing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been engaged in conflict with the Sudanese army since April 2023. This conflict erupted amid escalating tensions between the military and paramilitary factions, resulting in widespread violence and human rights abuses by both sides. The United Nations has reported that the conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 24,000 individuals and displaced more than 14 million people.
The hearing at the ICJ coincided with a recent appeal from the United States and Saudi Arabia for both the Sudanese army and the RSF to resume peace talks to address the ongoing crisis. Muawia Osman, Sudan’s acting justice minister, stated during the proceedings, “The direct logistical and other support that the UAE has provided to the RSF has been, and continues to be, the primary driving force behind the genocide now taking place, which includes murder, rape, forced displacement, and looting.” Sudan has demanded that the UAE offer “full reparations,” including compensation for war victims.
In stark contrast, Reem Ketait, a senior UAE foreign ministry official, refuted Sudan’s claims, asserting that they were baseless. “Since the start of the war, the UAE has not provided any arms or related material to either of the warring parties,” Ketait noted. The UAE has categorically rejected Sudan’s ICJ filing, contending that the court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the case and has called for its dismissal.
“The allegations are a misuse of international institutions, and we call upon the court to remove this case from the general list,” Ketait stated, emphasising that the UAE views the Sudanese accusations as an unjustified attack based on misinformation.
As the situation in Sudan remains precarious, with ongoing violence and humanitarian crises, the ICJ’s response to the allegations and the unfolding conflict may have significant implications for regional stability and international relations. The call for peace talks and the legal battles at the ICJ underscore the complex dynamics at play in a country grappling with profound societal upheaval.
Source : DW
