Anger mounts as Sudan's army takes in Darfur paramilitary defectors

A group of Sudanese survivors has formally requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate senior Emirati officials and business figures for their alleged role in supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during their campaign of violence in Darfur. This request was submitted to the ICC's Office of the Prosecutor earlier this week, marking a significant escalation in international efforts to hold foreign entities accountable for their potential contributions to the ongoing crisis in Sudan. The submission specifically names Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a vice president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as someone allegedly maintaining close ties to the RSF and providing it with financial and logistical support.

The victims are urging the ICC to examine the responsibilities of intermediaries under the Rome Statute, particularly Articles 25(3)(c) and 25(3)(d), which pertain to individuals who aid, abet, or knowingly contribute to crimes committed by groups operating with a shared objective. These provisions allow for the prosecution of those who provide resources or assistance to criminal organizations. The UAE has consistently denied any direct involvement in supplying the RSF with arms or other forms of support. However, multiple investigations conducted since mid-2023 suggest that weapons and supplies have reached the RSF through an aerial corridor originating from Amdjarass in Chad, with the UAE frequently identified as a possible supplier.

Recent reports indicate that the UAE has been supplying the RSF with weapons through a complex web of supply routes and alliances spanning Libya, Chad, Uganda, and parts of Somalia. Additionally, the ICC communication references a series of findings highlighting foreign involvement, including a report published by Middle East Eye in April that revealed the RSF receiving covert support from an Ethiopian military base located in the Benishangul-Gumuz region. Similar vehicles were observed at the port of Berbera in Somaliland, where the UAE maintains a military presence. A 2024 investigation by the New York Times, cited in the submission, uncovered evidence suggesting that the UAE had funneled weapons to the RSF under the pretense of humanitarian aid. Furthermore, Human Rights Watch reported in May that Colombian mercenaries, recruited through a UAE-based firm, passed through Emirati military installations before being deployed to Sudan.

The victims are seeking justice not only for those directly responsible for the atrocities but also for those who provided support, funding, or facilitation. The submission follows the format of an Article 15 communication, a process outlined in the Rome Statute allowing individuals, groups, or organizations to present information to the ICC's prosecutor in hopes of initiating an investigation. While the prosecutor is not obligated to take action based on such submissions, they must evaluate the materials presented and may use them to seek judicial authorization for a formal inquiry.

The ICC already holds jurisdiction over Darfur due to a 2005 UN Security Council referral, which grants it the authority to prosecute individuals of any nationality for crimes committed in the region. Legal experts suggest that this jurisdiction could theoretically extend to Emirati nationals accused of aiding RSF crimes. Nevertheless, collecting sufficient evidence and obtaining cooperation from a state that has not ratified the ICC's foundational treaty presents considerable challenges. The communication was filed by Elise Le Gall, a Paris-based attorney representing the ICC, on behalf of seven victims currently residing in a displacement camp within Sudan's Northern State. According to estimates from UN field staff, approximately 26,000 residents reside in the camp, many of whom traveled over 745 miles to find refuge.

Elise Le Gall emphasized that international crimes cannot occur without the existence of supportive networks. She urged prosecutors to scrutinize the economic and public actors potentially enabling the RSF through the provision of funding, logistical support, equipment, or personnel. El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, succumbed to the RSF following a prolonged siege lasting over 500 days, leaving more than a quarter of a million civilians trapped without access to essential resources such as food, water, and medical care. The UN human rights office has expressed concern over the situation, underscoring the severity of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Amin, a Sudanese journalist working for Middle East Eye, recently won the One World Media's prestigious Journalist of the Year award for his extensive reporting from Sudan. Despite this achievement, Amin was denied entry into the UK for the awards ceremony due to a visa refusal by the Home Office. In a video acceptance speech, Amin highlighted the resilience of the Sudanese people, citing the defense of the village of al-Tekeina against the RSF as a testament to the strength of local communities. He described Sudan as a nation deeply affected by trauma and conflict, emphasizing that the war is not merely between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces but rather a struggle between authoritarian forces and the civilian population.

Amin's inability to attend the ceremony personally underscores the increasing difficulties faced by journalists from Sudan attempting to travel abroad, especially since the onset of hostilities in April 2023. The UK's Labour government implemented a visa restriction in March 2026, effectively halting applications from Sudanese students and nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, and Myanmar. Chinwe Kalu-Uma, interim director of One World Media, expressed disappointment at the decision, noting that Amin's exclusion from the event highlights the broader issues of accessibility and visibility for Sudanese voices both domestically and internationally.

As the situation continues to evolve, the international community remains watchful, keenly observing developments related to the ICC's response to the allegations against the UAE and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The outcome of these proceedings could set important precedents regarding accountability for foreign involvement in conflicts and the protection of vulnerable populations caught in the crossfire.