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The ongoing hearings in The Hague center on Sudan’s appeal to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to impose provisional measures aimed at preventing further alleged severe human rights abuses within its borders.
Civil Conflict Intensifies
The Sudanese military government has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of actively supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and associated militias. These groups have been engaged in a fierce civil war against the national army since April 2023.
This conflict has precipitated one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world, resulting in tens of thousands of fatalities and displacing over 12.4 million individuals, including more than 3.3 million who have sought refuge in neighboring nations.
Catastrophic levels of hunger have emerged, with reports of famine in various areas, alongside significant disease outbreaks and the deterioration of essential services, placing millions—especially children—in extreme peril.
The legal case, officially identified as Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in Sudan (Sudan v. United Arab Emirates), was formally initiated last month when Sudan submitted an application to commence proceedings against the UAE.
Accusations Against the UAE
The Sudanese government alleges that the RSF and its affiliates have committed egregious human rights violations, including mass executions, sexual violence, and the forced displacement of the non-Arab Masalit population in West Darfur.
According to the application, the UAE is purportedly complicit in these acts of genocide by providing extensive financial, political, and military support to the RSF militia.
Semi-independent from the main legal proceedings, the court has been requested to issue provisional measures directing the UAE to “take all necessary actions to prevent any acts” that may further contribute to genocide.
Furthermore, Sudan is demanding that the UAE prevent associated irregular armed groups, whether directly or indirectly involved, from executing additional alleged atrocities.
The ICJ holds the authority under Article 36(1) of its Statute to adjudicate disputes concerning international law—including treaties and conventions—between states, given that both parties have accepted the court’s jurisdiction.
Understanding the Convention
The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was ratified by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1948, in the wake of World War II atrocities, and it came into force on January 12, 1951.
This statute defines genocide as acts committed with intent to destroy, either in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group.
As signatories to this Convention, both Sudan and the UAE are legally obligated to adhere to its stipulations.
More to come…
Source
news.un.org