The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has firmly dismissed Sudan’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), calling it a baseless political maneuver and vowing to seek its “immediate dismissal.”
Sudan’s government has accused the UAE of violating the Genocide Convention by allegedly providing direct support to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which Khartoum claims is responsible for genocidal acts against the Masalit people in the Darfur region.
UAE’s Response: ‘Cynical Publicity Stunt’
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), UAE Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash denounced Sudan’s lawsuit as a “cynical publicity stunt” and urged the Sudanese leadership to prioritize peace efforts rather than engaging in what he described as “feeble media maneuvers.”
He argued that instead of taking legal action against the UAE, Sudan should focus on ending the “absurd and destructive war” and addressing the country’s severe humanitarian crisis.
The Sudan Conflict and UAE’s Alleged Role
The war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which erupted in April 2023, has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and displaced over 12 million people, leading to the near-collapse of the Sudanese state.
The conflict has been particularly devastating in Darfur, where RSF fighters—largely from nomadic “Arab” tribes—have been accused of carrying out massacres against the Masalit, a predominantly “non-Arab” ethnic group.
Reports from humanitarian organizations and international observers have documented widespread atrocities, including ethnic killings, mass displacement, and sexual violence.
Sudan’s petition to the ICJ seeks provisional measures that would require the UAE to cease any alleged material or financial support to the RSF and its affiliates.
Khartoum also demands reparations for the damage caused by what it calls UAE-backed military aggression and insists that Abu Dhabi ensure that no armed groups it supports commit acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention.
Broader Implications and Regional Dynamics
The UAE has not only denied the allegations but has also framed Sudan’s lawsuit as an attempt to deflect attention from the internal failures of its military leadership.
Abu Dhabi has long maintained that it supports peace and stability in Sudan, yet its involvement in the conflict—whether direct or indirect—has been a subject of international scrutiny.
Geopolitical analysts note that the Sudanese civil war has become a proxy battleground, with multiple foreign actors allegedly supporting different factions.
While Sudan’s military accuses the UAE of backing the RSF, reports suggest that other regional powers have also been involved in supplying weapons, funding, or political support to the warring parties.
Legal and Diplomatic Consequences
Sudan’s case at the ICJ marks a significant escalation in the country’s international legal strategy and could have far-reaching consequences for the UAE’s diplomatic standing.
If the court accepts the case, it could lead to a prolonged legal battle, potentially affecting Abu Dhabi’s relations with other states and international organizations.
For now, the UAE remains steadfast in its rejection of Sudan’s claims, portraying them as a desperate move by a beleaguered government seeking to shift blame for the country’s devastation.
Meanwhile, Sudan’s leadership views the case as a crucial step toward holding external actors accountable for their alleged role in the conflict.
As the war in Sudan continues with no clear resolution in sight, the ICJ proceedings may become another front in the ongoing struggle—one fought not on the battlefield, but in the halls of international justice.
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