The International Court of Justice (ICJ) was told by Sudan that the UAE was the “driving force” of what it referred to as a genocide in Darfur, Al-Monitor reported on April 10th.
The UAE’s statements deny the accusations and label Sudan’s case as “political theatre” diverting focus from resolving the conflict. The UAE also urged the court to dismiss the case and erase it from its docket.
Reem Ketait, a ministry official representing the UAE, testified against the claim. She said that the UAE being the “driver of this reprehensible conflict in Sudan could not be further from the truth.”
Ketait said the charges are “nothing more than a cynical PR stunt” led by the Sudan Armed Forces. “Our only interest is in securing a lasting peace that ends the suffering of the Sudanese people and brings stability to Sudan and the wider region,” she told CNN.
Sudan’s acting justice minister, Muawia Osman, told the court that genocide could not occur without the “complicity of the UAE.” This involvement includes shipping arms to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Osman also said: “The direct logistical and other support that the UAE has provided and continues to provide to the RSF has been and continues to be the primary driving force behind the genocide now taking place, including killing, rape, forced displacement and looting.”
Earlier this year, questions arose about the legitimacy and political stance of the ICJ. ICJ president Julia Sebutinde was accused of plagiarising significant parts of her dissent on Israel’s occupation, the Middle East Eye reported on February 3rd.
The case arises after the US and Saudi Arabia urged the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces to resume peace negotiations.
The two-year conflict has caused tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 12 million people, according to the BBC.
Al-Monitor, BBC, CNN, Middle East Eye
+ There are no comments
Add yours