The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced on Friday that it would hear a case brought by Sudan seeking emergency measures against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the crime of genocide.
Sudan alleges that the UAE has violated the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) by enabling the militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to use violence against the Masalit group in Sudan.
According to Sudan’s application, the Masalit group reside in the West Darfur region. The RSF, with the intent to destroy the Massalit group in whole or in part, has systematically targeted the group on the basis of their ethnic identity and the colour of their skin. The RSF has killed thousands of Masalit persons, including women and civilians.
The UAE has supported RSF by sending its agents to RSF and providing communications and financial support.
Sudan requested the ICJ’s indication on provisional measures under Article 41 of the Statute of the ICJ and Articles 73 to 75 of the Rules of the Court. The provisional measures requested include an order that the UAE use all measures to prevent violence against the Masalit group and refrain from supporting the RSF and related militias.
The application comes amidst the rapidly declining humanitarian situation in Sudan. The RSF has been accused of using excessive violence in the ongoing civil war in Sudan. A UN mission last year found the RSF guilty of staggering sexual violence. Earlier this year, the RSF attacked the White Nile state and killed hundreds of civilians. The US also condemned the RSF for the atrocities perpetrated, holding the RSF responsible for genocide.
The ICJ would hear the request on April 10.