The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has dismissed Sudan’s case accusing the UAE of complicity in genocide.
The court ruled that it lacks jurisdiction to hear the case due to the UAE’s legal reservation.
Sudan filed the case last month, citing atrocities against the Masalit community in Darfur by the RSF.
Khartoum alleged that the UAE supported the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), enabling mass atrocities in West Darfur.
Sudanese officials said the UAE’s actions violated the Genocide Convention, which both states have signed.
Sudan asked the ICJ to impose emergency measures to stop alleged UAE-backed genocidal acts.
The UAE denied the accusations and called Sudan’s case a “cynical and baseless PR stunt.”
During oral arguments, the UAE said the ICJ had no jurisdiction to hear the dispute.
It cited a 2005 reservation made to Article IX of the Genocide Convention upon joining.
Article IX allows disputes under the Convention to be settled by the ICJ.
However, states may legally opt out of this clause before accession.
ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa announced the decision on Monday, May 6, 2025.
He said the court “manifestly lacks jurisdiction” due to the UAE’s reservation under Article IX.
The court dismissed Sudan’s case with a 14-to-two majority vote.
It also denied Khartoum’s request for provisional measures.
“The case is removed from the General List,” Iwasawa stated.
Several global legal experts urged the court not to dismiss Sudan’s case on technical grounds.
They said allowing states to evade accountability by reservation weakens international law.
Former UN prosecutor Richard Goldstone and legal counsel Hans Corell joined the appeal.
Sudan’s government continues to accuse the UAE of arming the RSF via regional networks.
Middle East Eye reported UAE supply lines through Libya, Chad, and Central African Republic.
Brett McGurk, a US official, said the UAE pledged to stop supplying weapons in December.
Senator Chris Van Hollen later confirmed the UAE had indeed armed the RSF team.
UAE welcomes ICJ ruling
Reem Ketait of the UAE’s foreign ministry welcomed the decision.
She said the ruling confirms the UAE bears no responsibility for Sudan’s internal conflict.
“The facts speak for themselves,” she stated after the court’s decision.
Sudan-RSF conflict continues
Sudan’s army has been at war with the RSF since April 2023.
Khartoum accuses the RSF of committing genocide, rape, and mass displacement.
The conflict has displaced thousands and triggered international concern.
ICJ’s genocide mandate faces questions
The ICJ is the world’s only court empowered to try states for genocide.
It can issue emergency measures, including halting arms transfers to accused states.
Legal experts say this ruling may set a precedent limiting genocide accountability.
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