Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) made a powerful demand on Monday, seeking a life sentence for a Sudanese militia leader found guilty of horrific crimes against humanity committed during the country's devastating civil war two decades ago.
A Legacy of Brutality in Darfur
The court had already found Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, who is widely known by his nom de guerre, Ali Kushayb, guilty of committing multiple war crimes and crimes against humanity. These atrocities were carried out in the western Darfur region between 2003 and 2004. The long list of his crimes includes gang rape, murder, and torture.
In a gripping statement to the judges, prosecutor Julian Nicholls left no room for doubt about the severity of the crimes. "You literally have an axe murderer before you. This is the stuff of nightmares," Nicholls stated. He argued forcefully that "Only a life sentence will serve the interest of retribution and deterrence."
Denials and Damning Evidence
Throughout the proceedings, Abd-Al-Rahman has consistently denied the charges, claiming he was not a high-ranking official in the Janjaweed militia. This paramilitary force, largely composed of Arab fighters, was armed by the Sudanese government to target mainly black African tribes in Darfur.
However, the court was presented with overwhelming evidence of his direct involvement. ICC president judge Joanna Korner described one particularly harrowing incident. She detailed how Abd-Al-Rahman personally loaded approximately 50 civilians onto trucks, beat some of them with axes, forced them to lie on the ground, and then ordered his troops to execute them.
Judge Korner insisted that the militiaman was "personally involved in the beatings and later was physically present and giving orders for the execution of those detained." Abd-Al-Rahman, who was born around 1949, also attempted to distance himself by claiming the court had the wrong man and that he was "not Ali Kushayb," an argument the judges firmly rejected.
A Conflict's Enduring Shadow
The fighting in Darfur erupted when non-Arab tribes, who had long suffered from systematic discrimination, took up arms against the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum. The government's response was to unleash the notorious Janjaweed militia. The United Nations estimates that the conflict led to a staggering 300,000 deaths and displaced 2.5 million more people.
Abd-Al-Rahman's defence lawyers, who are asking for a mere seven-year jail term, are set to present their case later this week. The accused fled to the Central African Republic in February 2020 when a new Sudanese government signalled its willingness to cooperate with the ICC. He later surrendered, stating he was "desperate" and feared being killed by the authorities.
The ghosts of the Darfur conflict continue to haunt Sudan. ICC prosecutors are now hoping to issue fresh arrest warrants connected to the current crisis in the country. A new war between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—which has its origins in the Janjaweed militia—has already killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. Aid agencies warn that this conflict, marred by atrocities, has pushed the northeast African nation to the brink of famine.
