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A coalition of international rights groups has called upon the International Criminal Court (ICC) to launch an investigation into senior officials of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other regional authorities, accusing them of enabling war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Sudan.
The rights groups, comprising Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and several other organizations, filed a formal complaint arguing that the supply networks facilitating the flow of arms and logistical support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary unit in Sudan, originated in multiple countries across the region. This alleged support, they claimed, was routed through UAE airports, passing through Chad, Libya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and Somalia.
The complaint also highlighted the existence of a UN arms embargo, which has been in place for nearly 17 years, due to Sudan’s past history of human rights abuses. This embargo prohibits Member States from exporting arms to Sudan; however, the alleged supply networks evaded the embargo to provide critical military equipment and logistical support to the RSF.
The ICC is a court of last resort for countries where national authorities cannot or will not investigate and prosecute the most serious international crimes. This coalition of rights groups argues that accountability is not only necessary for those directly responsible for perpetuating these crimes but also for foreign networks facilitating them.
“Sudan’s humanitarian crisis is fueled in part by the ongoing militarization and violence,” said Balkees Jarrah, Associate International Justice Director at Human Rights Watch in a statement. “We are calling on the ICC to investigate and hold to account those enabling these atrocities.”
The filing of this complaint comes as Sudan continues to grapple with a prolonged and devastating conflict, resulting in the displacement of millions, with thousands more at risk of famine, forced labor, and torture. As regional and international actors grapple with finding a resolution to the ongoing crisis, the need for accountability has become an increasingly pressing concern.
“This complaint makes clear that international and regional officials who sustain, facilitate or provide support to those committing human rights abuses and war crimes must also be held to account,” said Tine Mørch Smith, Senior Legal Adviser at Amnesty International. “By pursuing these crimes, we not only bring justice to the victims and survivors but also prevent similar abuses from happening in the future.”
A response to the filing has not yet been received. The ICC’s Chief Prosecutors’ office will assess the complaint, determine whether it warrants an investigation, and inform those parties involved accordingly.