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ICC Issues First Darfur Conviction for War Crimes

ICC Convicts Former Janjaweed Leader for War Crimes

Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman convicted on 27 counts for systematic atrocities in Darfur during 2003-2004 conflict.

  • ICC delivers first Darfur conviction
  • Ali Kushayb found guilty on counts
  • Systematic killings rape torture documented
  • Janjaweed militia evolved into RSF forces
  • Darfur conflict killed three hundred thousand
  • US designates RSF actions as genocide
  • Omar al-Bashir arrest warrant outstanding
  • Two hundred sixty thousand trapped civilians

The International Criminal Court delivered its first conviction for atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur region on October 6, 2025. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, known as Ali Kushayb, was convicted on 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Darfur conflict in 2003 and 2004. The unanimous verdict covers systematic mass killings, rape, torture, persecution, and forced displacement targeting civilian populations.

Historic ICC Conviction Details

Presiding Judge Joanna Korner confirmed Abd-Al-Rahman’s personal involvement in ordering and participating in executions, beatings, and other atrocities against ethnic Fur communities. The court established his leadership role within the Janjaweed militia and documented coordination with Sudanese government forces during military campaigns in Mukjar, Deleig, Kodoom, and Bindisi [1]. His conviction marks the first individual accountability for a Janjaweed commander and establishes the ICC’s first ruling on gender-based persecution [2][3].

Path to Justice

Abd-Al-Rahman voluntarily surrendered to the ICC in 2020 after fleeing to the Central African Republic amid political changes in Sudan. He will face sentencing at a future date with the possibility of life imprisonment. The trial began in April 2022 and featured testimony from 56 prosecution witnesses detailing the brutal violence and strategic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war [4][5].

Current Darfur Crisis Continues

The Darfur conflict from 2003 to 2020 resulted in approximately 300,000 deaths and displaced over 2.5 million people according to international estimates. The original Janjaweed militia evolved into the Rapid Support Forces in 2013, which now battles the Sudanese Armed Forces in an ongoing civil war since April 2023 [6][7]. The RSF controls most of Darfur and has imposed a siege on El Fasher, the regional capital, where 260,000 civilians remain trapped without safe exit routes [8].

The United States officially designated RSF actions in Darfur as genocide in January 2025, citing systematic targeting of non-Arab populations, mass killings, and widespread sexual violence [9]. UN officials warn of catastrophic humanitarian conditions with civilians facing starvation, disease, and continued attacks amid blocked aid access [10].

Outstanding Justice Efforts

Multiple ICC arrest warrants remain active for other suspects:

  • Former President Omar al-Bashir faces genocide and war crimes charges
  • Ex-Interior Minister Ahmad Muhammad Harun awaits prosecution
  • Former Defense Minister Abdel Raheem Hussein remains at large
  • Al-Bashir is reportedly in military custody in northern Sudan

The ICC Prosecutor’s Office continues pursuing these cases while the international community calls for increased accountability measures. This landmark conviction provides hope for justice despite the continuing violence affecting millions of Sudanese civilians across the region.

Emily Johnson

Emily Johnson

Senior Political Journalist

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Emily Johnson is a senior journalist and political analyst with nearly a decade of experience in political journalism, international affairs, policy analysis, and investigative reporting. She holds a B.A. in Journalism & Political Communication from Georgetown University (2015), where she built a strong foundation in international relations, media ethics, and data-driven reporting. Emily began her career as a staff writer for Reuters before joining Politico Europe, where she became known for her evidence-based and policy-focused coverage of global political developments, leadership transitions, and international diplomacy. Currently based in Berlin, Germany, she contributes to Faharas NET, focusing on global politics, European policy, and cross-border investigations. Her writing blends rigorous fact-checking, accessible analysis, and deep geopolitical insight, earning her a reputation for credibility and balance in an increasingly polarized media landscape.

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Editorial Timeline

Revisions
— by Elena Voren
Add SEO improvements
— by Kamar Mahmoud
Rewrote article with updated facts and verified information from October 2025 sources
— by Kamar Mahmoud
Initial publication.

Correction Record

Accountability
— by Kamar Mahmoud
Updated conviction details with precise ICC ruling information and current casualty statistics

FAQ

What charges did Ali Kushayb face?

He faced 31 counts but was convicted on 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, rape, torture, persecution, and forced displacement.

What is the current status of Omar al-Bashir?

Al-Bashir faces active ICC arrest warrants for genocide and war crimes and is reportedly in military custody in northern Sudan.

What is happening in Darfur now?

The RSF militia controls most of Darfur and has besieged El Fasher where 260,000 civilians remain trapped amid ongoing civil war.