The International Court of Justice issues a historic ruling against Ali Kushayb.

October 6, 2025 (Middle East) The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday convicted the first armed faction leader to be tried for war crimes committed in Sudan's Darfur region more than two decades ago. The court said Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-al-Rahman, known as Ali Kushayb, was convicted of 30 war crimes, including rape, murder, and persecution, noting that the sentence would be determined later after a new round of hearings.

The court convicted Kushayb, a Janjaweed militia leader, for his leading role in a campaign of atrocities committed in Darfur more than 20 years ago. This is the first time the court has convicted a suspect for crimes committed in Darfur. The court ruled that these atrocities, including mass killings and rape, were part of a government plan to violently suppress a rebellion in Sudan's western region.

Kushayb showed no emotion as presiding judge Joanna Corner read out 27 convictions. He faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The court said the defendant "encouraged and issued instructions that led to the killing, rape, and destruction perpetrated by the Janjaweed militia," adding that the sentences were issued unanimously.

Kushayb fled to the Central African Republic in February 2020, when a new Sudanese government was formed and confirmed its intention to cooperate with the ICC investigation. He voluntarily surrendered himself that year, claiming he did so because he was desperate and feared the Sudanese government would kill him.