Sudan has officially taken United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing the Gulf nation of fueling the country’s brutal civil war by providing financial and military support to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The lawsuit filed this week marks a dramatic escalation in diplomatic tensions as Sudan’s government seeks legal accountability for what it calls foreign interference in its internal conflict.
Sudanese government claims that the UAE has been supplying weapons, drones, and funds to RSF which has been locked in a bloody battle against Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since April 2023.
This war has left thousands dead, displaced millions and pushed the nation to the brink of collapse.
ICJ case signals Sudan’s frustration with the continued external involvement that it says has prolonged the conflict and worsened the humanitarian crisis.
Sudan’s leadership argues that UAE’s alleged backing of the RSF amounts to a violation of international law specifically the principle of non-interference in the sovereignty of other nations.
This case, if admitted could have far-reaching consequences for international relations not only between Sudan and UAE but also for broader Middle Eastern and African geopolitics.
UAE has previously denied any involvement dismissing the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
The RSF originally a government-aligned militia evolved into a formidable force that turned against the state leading to the current war.
Reports from journalists have highlighted RSF’s alleged human rights violations including massacres, sexual violence and the targeting of civilians.
Sudanese officials claim the group’s resilience and growing firepower would not have been possible without foreign backing particularly from UAE.
Legal experts suggest that proving Sudan’s case at ICJ could be challenging as international courts require substantial evidence linking the UAE to RSF activities.
However if the court rules in Sudan’s favor, it could set a precedent for holding nations accountable for supporting armed groups abroad.
For Sudan, this legal battle is not just about assigning blame but about seeking justice and international recognition of the forces destabilizing the country.
