International Court of Justice (ICJ) dismisses Sudan’s genocide case against UAE, urges focus on crisis

May 5, 2025 – The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has dismissed Sudan’s case against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), ruling that it lacked jurisdiction to hear allegations of UAE complicity in genocide during Sudan’s ongoing civil war.

Sudan had accused the UAE of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in the conflict, but the ICJ determined that the UAE’s reservation to the Genocide Convention prevented legal action against it. UAE officials hailed the ruling as a “clear and decisive affirmation” that the case was baseless.

Reem Ketait, Deputy Assistant Minister for Political Affairs and UAE’s representative to the ICJ, reaffirmed that the UAE is not a party to the armed conflict in Sudan and does not provide support to any paramilitary forces. She described Sudan’s accusations as politically motivated and an attempt to divert attention from its own role in the war.

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Following the ruling, the UAE urged the international community to focus on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, calling for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The UAE emphasized its commitment to stability, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic efforts to support Sudanese civilians.

With Sudan’s legal challenge dismissed, attention now shifts to efforts to address the worsening humanitarian situation, as famine and displacement continue to devastate the region.