On March 5, 2025, Sudan filed an application against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention).

The application concerned acts committed by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias against the Masalit group in Darfur, Sudan since at least 2023. Sudan argued that these acts were perpetrated and enabled through direct financial, political, and military support from the UAE. The application alleged that the UAE bears responsibility for genocide by extensively supporting the RSF and its affiliated groups.

As the legal basis for the Court’s jurisdiction, Sudan invoked Article 36(1) of the ICJ Statute and Article IX of the Genocide Convention. However, while both Sudan and the UAE are parties to the Genocide Convention, the UAE has a reservation rejecting the compromissory clause in Article IX.

Sudan also requested provisional measures under Article 41 of the ICJ Statute and Articles 73-75 of the Rules of Court to prevent further harm to the Masalit people while the case is pending. Specifically, Sudan asked the Court to indicate provisional measures requiring the UAE to take all necessary steps to prevent acts falling within the scope of the Genocide Convention and to ensure that any irregular armed units it directs or supports do not commit such acts.