Sudan asks ICJ to order UAE to halt alleged support for genocide
April 10, 2025 (THE HAGUE) – Sudan asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday to order the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to halt alleged support for groups committing genocide in Darfur, while the UAE countered by asking the court to throw out the case.
Sudan accused the UAE of complicity in an ongoing genocide against the non-Arab Masalit ethnic group in its Darfur region. It requested emergency measures from the court, arguing the UAE’s alleged support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group is fueling atrocities against the Masalit.
Acting Minister of Justice Muawia Osman Mohamed Khair, representing Sudan, told the court the RSF campaign targets the Masalit population. Sudan’s lawyers detailed alleged arms shipments funneled through Chad, citing UN reports and other sources claiming cargo flights from the UAE supplied the RSF with weapons, including heavy artillery like Howitzers, and logistical support. They also referenced the U.S. State Department’s determination in January that genocide was being committed in Sudan by the RSF and allied militias.
In the day’s hearings, Sudan asked the ICJ to order the UAE to employ all measures within its power to prevent actions falling under Article II of the Genocide Convention. These include killing, causing serious harm, deliberately inflicting destructive conditions of life, and preventing births within the Masalit group.
Sudan further requested the court order the UAE to “refrain from any conduct amounting to complicity” in alleged genocide committed by irregular armed units or other groups against the Masalit.
A key part of Sudan’s argument focused on the UAE’s 2005 reservation to Article IX of the Genocide Convention, which the UAE stated means it does not consider itself bound by the article allowing states to bring disputes before the ICJ, also known as the World Court.
Sudan argued this reservation should not prevent the court from exercising jurisdiction. Its counsel contended the reservation was vaguely worded compared to others and notably omitted reference to “the responsibility of a State for genocide” – a key aspect of Article IX.
Sudan also argued the reservation is potentially invalid because it could be incompatible with the object and purpose of the Genocide Convention.
It asked the court to require the UAE to submit a report within one month, and every six months thereafter, detailing measures taken to comply with any court order.
UAE seeks case dismissal
Representing the UAE, Ambassador Ameirah Al Hefeiti led the delegation in the afternoon hearing.
At the conclusion of arguments, the UAE formally requested the Court “to reject the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by the Republic of the Sudan” and “to remove from the General List the case introduced by the Republic of the Sudan on 5 March 2025”.
The ICJ judges will now deliberate on the request for provisional measures. Their decision will be delivered at a public sitting on a date to be announced later.