The International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently dismissed a case brought by Sudan against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), regarding accusations of genocide under the Genocide Convention. The case alleged that the UAE armed and financed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of committing atrocities during Sudan’s ongoing civil war. However, the ICJ found that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the case (ICJ ruling).
At the heart of the jurisdictional issue was the UAE’s reservation to Article IX of the Genocide Convention, which allows signatories to refer disputes about the convention’s interpretation and application to the ICJ. This reservation effectively rendered the ICJ unable to adjudicate the matter. While the court acknowledged the seriousness of the alleged crimes against the Masalit ethnic group, Sudan was unable to demonstrate that the UAE exerted effective control over the RSF, to substantiate claims of complicity in genocide (legal analysis).
The UAE’s official stance, as articulated by Foreign Ministry representative Reem Ketait, suggests that the dismissal confirms their position that the case should never have been filed. In contrast, the ruling was met with frustration and protests from Sudanese nationals, who viewed the ICJ’s decision as a failure to address the severe human rights abuses occurring in their nation (UAE reaction).
Sudan initially filed the case in March 2025, requesting provisional measures against the UAE to halt its alleged support of the RSF. The country’s legal strategy hinged on proving that the UAE’s assistance constituted complicity in ongoing acts of genocide, particularly against the Masalit in West Darfur. Despite the ruling, the case remains on the ICJ’s General List, leaving a possibility for further judicial proceedings related to the dispute (case details).
The conflict in Sudan, dating back to April 2023, has seen escalating violence between the Sudanese military and the RSF, with both groups facing accusations of serious human rights violations. This ongoing strife continues to strain the already fragile humanitarian situation in the region, placing further pressure on international bodies to seek resolutions (conflict background).