ICC Convicts Former Sudan Militia Leader for War Crimes in Darfur
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has convicted Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, a former leader of the Janjaweed militia, for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Darfur region of Sudan more than two decades ago. This landmark ruling marks the first time the ICC has secured a conviction for atrocities committed in Darfur, a region that has suffered immense violence and displacement. The court found that Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, played a significant role in a campaign of atrocities, including mass murders and rapes, which the court deemed to be part of a government plan to suppress a rebellion in the western Sudanese region.
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The Verdict and Charges
Presiding Judge Joanna Korner delivered the verdict, announcing 27 guilty verdicts against Abd-Al-Rahman. The judge stated that the court was convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused was guilty of the crimes with which he had been charged. Detailed accounts of harrowing gang rapes, abuse, and mass killings were presented during the trial, highlighting the severity of the crimes committed. The sentencing will take place at a later date.
One specific instance cited by Judge Korner involved Abd-Al-Rahman loading approximately 50 civilians onto trucks, beating some with axes, forcing them to lie on the ground, and then ordering his troops to execute them. The ICC judge emphasized that Abd-Al-Rahman was not only giving orders but was also personally involved in the beatings and present during the executions, directing the killings. Prosecutors had accused Abd-Al-Rahman of being a leading member of the Janjaweed militia, which they said participated “enthusiastically” in war crimes.
Abd-Al-Rahman’s Defense and the Court’s Response
Throughout the trial, Abd-Al-Rahman, who was born around 1949, denied all charges. He claimed mistaken identity, stating, “I am not Ali Kushayb. I do not know this person… I have nothing to do with the accusations against me.” He made this statement during a hearing in December 2024. However, Judge Korner dismissed his claims, stating that the court was “satisfied that the accused was the person known… as Ali Kushayb,” and rejected the testimonies of defense witnesses who had denied his identity.
Abd-Al-Rahman’s path to the ICC involved fleeing to the Central African Republic in February 2020 after the new Sudanese government expressed its intention to cooperate with the ICC investigation. He then claimed to have handed himself in out of desperation and fear for his life, suggesting that authorities might kill him. His surrender paved the way for the trial and the subsequent conviction.
The Darfur Conflict and the Janjaweed Militia
The Darfur conflict erupted when non-Arab tribes, alleging systematic discrimination, initiated an armed rebellion against the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum. The Sudanese government responded by deploying the Janjaweed militia, a force primarily composed of individuals from the region’s nomadic tribes. This led to a brutal conflict characterized by widespread atrocities.
The United Nations estimates that the Darfur conflict resulted in approximately 300,000 deaths and the displacement of 2.5 million people during the 2000s. During the trial, the ICC chief prosecutor stated that Abd-Al-Rahman and his forces “rampaged across different parts of Darfur,” inflicting severe pain and suffering on women, children, and men in the villages they targeted. The prosecutor, Karim Khan, has since stepped down amidst allegations of sexual misconduct.
Implications and the Ongoing Crisis in Sudan
Abd-Al-Rahman is also believed to be an ally of the deposed Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the ICC on genocide charges. Al-Bashir, who ruled Sudan for nearly three decades, was ousted and detained in April 2019 following months of protests. However, he has not been surrendered to the ICC, where he faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The ICC prosecutors are reportedly considering issuing fresh arrest warrants related to the ongoing crisis in Sudan. Since 2023, tens of thousands have been killed, and millions have been displaced in a war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which evolved from the Janjaweed militia. This conflict, marked by allegations of atrocities on all sides, has brought Sudan to the brink of famine, according to aid agencies. The conviction of Abd-Al-Rahman serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed in Darfur and the ongoing challenges facing Sudan.
The conviction of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman by the ICC represents a significant step towards accountability for the crimes committed in Darfur. While the sentencing is yet to come, this verdict sends a clear message that those responsible for atrocities will be held accountable, regardless of their position or the passage of time. The ongoing crisis in Sudan highlights the need for continued efforts to achieve peace, justice, and stability in the region, and to ensure that the victims of these conflicts receive the support and redress they deserve.
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