NGOs Ask ICC to Probe UAE and Regional Officials Over Alleged Role in Sudan Atrocities
A coalition of international rights organisations has submitted a request to the International Criminal Court urging prosecutors to investigate senior officials from the United Arab Emirates and other regional countries for their alleged role in atrocities committed during the conflict in Darfur.
The filing, led by the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, alleges that foreign actors provided weapons, financing, logistical support, mercenaries and equipment to both the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, enabling alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
The submission names the UAE and regional supporters linked to the RSF, while also referring to the alleged roles of Iran, Turkey and Egypt in relation to the Sudanese army. The identities of the officials named in the filing have not been made public.
The coalition argues that despite a long-standing UN arms embargo on Darfur, weapons and military support have continued to flow into the region, prolonging the conflict and contributing to attacks on civilians.
The ICC already has jurisdiction over crimes committed in Darfur through a UN Security Council referral. Rights groups hope the court will expand its investigation to include foreign individuals accused of aiding and abetting atrocities.
