The International Criminal Court (ICC) has convicted a notorious Sudanese militia leader for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, was found guilty of various offenses, including rape, murder, and torture, that took place between August 2003 and at least April 2004.
ICC president judge Joanna Korner stated that the accused was proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The sentencing will be announced at a later date, following hearings scheduled for November 17-21, with a decision to be made subsequently.
During the proceedings, Abd-Al-Rahman, dressed in a blue suit and waistcoat with a scarlet tie, remained composed, occasionally taking notes. Korner recounted disturbing incidents of gang rapes, abuse, and mass killings, including an instance where civilians were brutally murdered on his orders.
Abd-Al-Rahman, a prominent figure in Sudan’s Janjaweed militia, actively participated in numerous war crimes, as confirmed by Korner. Despite denying all charges and claiming mistaken identity, the court established his identity as Ali Kushayb.
Having fled to the Central African Republic in 2020, Abd-Al-Rahman surrendered himself due to fear and desperation. The conflict in Darfur erupted when non-Arab tribes rebelled against the Arab-dominated government, leading to the deployment of the Janjaweed by Khartoum.
The United Nations reported that the Darfur conflict in the 2000s resulted in 300,000 deaths and 2.5 million displacements. The ICC prosecutor described Abd-Al-Rahman’s actions as causing immense suffering to the population in Darfur.
Abd-Al-Rahman is believed to have ties with ousted Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir, who faces ICC charges of genocide. Despite Bashir’s detention in 2019, he has not been extradited to The Hague to face trial. ICC prosecutors seek fresh arrest warrants related to the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
The conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has led to tens of thousands of deaths and millions displaced, pushing the country towards a famine crisis. The Emergency Lawyers group hailed the ICC’s verdict as a milestone for Sudanese justice, offering hope to victims of atrocities across the nation.