The International Criminal Court has convicted former Sudanese militia leader Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, known as Ali Kushayb, of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Darfur conflict more than two decades ago.
Abd-Al-Rahman, a senior commander in the Janjaweed militia loyal to former President Omar al-Bashir, was found guilty on 27 counts, including murder, rape, and persecution. The court ruled that he both ordered and personally took part in the atrocities, which left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced.
Presiding Judge Joanna Korner stated that Abd-Al-Rahman had personally directed executions and participated in brutal attacks on civilians. The verdict marks the first conviction by the ICC related to the Darfur conflict.
The atrocities took place after ethnic African rebels launched an uprising against Khartoum’s government in 2003, triggering a violent retaliation by al-Bashir’s regime and the Janjaweed militias.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk welcomed the ruling as an important step toward justice for the victims and a recognition of the immense suffering endured by the people of Darfur.
Abd-Al-Rahman will be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The conviction comes as Sudan once again faces widespread violence amid an ongoing civil war between the national army and the Rapid Support Forces, the modern successor of the Janjaweed.
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