THE HAGUE (Reuters) – On Monday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) stated it is unable to adjudicate Sudan’s case against the United Arab Emirates, which alleges that the UAE is contributing to genocide in Darfur by providing weaponry to paramilitary groups. The court cited a lack of jurisdiction in its ruling.
Last month, Sudan brought forth arguments before the UN’s premier court claiming that the UAE was infringing upon the Genocide Convention through its support of paramilitary forces in Darfur. The UAE contended that the case should be dismissed outright.
In its decision on Monday, the court indicated it cannot evaluate the case related to the UAE and rejected Sudan’s request for immediate measures, effectively removing the issue from its agenda.
The summary of the ruling conveyed that the court’s jurisdiction limits it from assessing the validity of Sudan’s allegations.
In response to the ruling, Sudan stated on Tuesday that the finding of a jurisdictional absence does not relieve the UAE of the accusations of genocide, committing to explore all legal channels to safeguard its population and sovereignty.
Conversely, the UAE regarded the ruling as a significant legal triumph.
Reem Ketait, deputy assistant minister for political affairs in the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, remarked in a statement, “This decision unequivocally affirms that this case lacked foundation. The court’s determination of its lack of jurisdiction reinforces that this case should have never been initiated.”
Ketait asserted, “The evidence is clear: the UAE holds no accountability for the conflict in Sudan. In fact, the documented atrocities are the actions of the conflicting parties.”
With a vote of 14 to 2, the court dismissed Sudan’s plea for emergency measures aimed at shielding the Masalit tribe, which has been the target of significant ethnic violence perpetrated by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and allied Arab militiamen.
Sudan accuses the UAE of supplying arms to the RSF, which has been engaged in a civil war against the Sudanese army for the past two years. While the UAE denies these allegations, several UN experts and U.S. lawmakers have deemed the claims credible, referencing evidence from human rights organizations regarding arms supplies.
The most recent report from a UN expert panel released in April mentioned the UAE only in relation to its participation in peace negotiations concerning Sudan.
The ICJ serves as the highest judicial body in the UN for resolving disputes between nations and addressing violations of international agreements. Both Sudan and the UAE are parties to the 1948 Genocide Convention.