On 6 October 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) made its first conviction of a Sudanese official and in regards to the Darfur war between August 2003 and March 2004. Ali Muhammad Ali Abdulrahman, better known as Ali Kushayb, a former commander of the Janjaweed militia in the Darfur region, was convicted in The Hague, Netherlands for 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Darfur war.
Who is Ali Kushayb?
A former commander of the Janjaweed militia, also known as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), in the Darfur region. He was responsible for planning, coordinating, and leading attacks against non-Arab tribes during the war in Darfur in 2003–2004, which resulted in over 300,000 deaths and displaced approximately 2.5 million people. His role involved directing militia operations that included mass killings, systematic rape, torture, forced displacement, and destruction of villages as part of a government-backed campaign to suppress a rebellion by non-Arab tribes in the region. Essentially, he was in command of the forces committing these atrocities and played a central role in implementing the strategy of ethnic violence that led to widespread human rights violations.
What is his personal background?
Kushayb the son of a member of the Ta’isha tribe while his mother was from the Dangaoni tribe from the southern part of Sudan. Kushayb was known as the Aqid Al Ogada, a colonel of colonels, for the Wadi Salih locality in Darfur. He was one of the senior leaders of the tribal hierarchy in Wadi Salih, and was a member of the Popular Defence Forces (PDF), as well as a commander of a government backed militia in Darfur from August 2003 until March 2004. He served as a liaison between the government and the Janjaweed, while simultaneously participating in attacks against targeted groups.
Veyr little is known about Kushayb’s children. It is believed that his children continue in their fate’s footsteps, committing atrocities in Sudan. According to Darfur 24, one of his sons, Bush Ali Kushayb was killed in 2022 when attempting to detonate a hand grenade on a group of citizens in the city
of Raheed Al Bardi in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. According to sources, another one of his sons is an RSF militia commander currently committing atrocities across Darfur.
What charges was he accused and convicted of?
Kushayb is accused of 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Darfur, particularly Kodoom, Bindisi, Mukjar, and Arawala, between August 2003 and March 2004. He was convicted by the ICC on 6 October 2025 for 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between August 2003 and March 2004. These charges include:
- Murder
- Rape
- Torture
- Persecution
- Pillage (looting)
- Attacks on civilians
- Outrages upon personal dignity
- Forcible transfer and displacement of people
#ICC Trial Chamber I finds Ali Muhammad Ali #AbdAlRahman guilty of 27 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in #Darfur, #Sudan.
— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) October 6, 2025
📖 More info in press release to come pic.twitter.com/FNXb5MBypW
When was he arrested?
Kushayb was arrested and transferred to the ICC’s custody on 9 June 2020, after voluntarily surrendering in the Central African Republic (CAR). His trial began in April 2022. Despite his claims of mistaken identity, the court found substantial evidence linking him to the atrocities in Darfur.
What were the court proceedings in this case?
The trial in the case opened before Trial Chamber I on 5 April 2022. A total of 74 witnesses gave evidence during the trial (56 were called by the Prosecution, 17 by the Defence and one by the participating victims through their legal representatives).
Trial Chamber I is composed of Judge Joanna Korner (Presiding), Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou, and Judge Althea Violet Alexis-Windsor. The judges ensure the fairness of the trial and that the rights of both parties and of the victims are respected.
Kushayb’s initial appearance before the ICC took place on 15 June 2020. According to the Prosecution’s Document Containing the Charges, he was suspected of 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between August 2003 and April 2004 in Darfur. The confirmation of charges hearing was held from 24 to 26 May 2021, and on 9 July 2021, Pre-Trial Chamber II confirmed all charges and committed him to trial.
During the trial, the Prosecution presented its case with 56 witnesses. On 5 June 2023, the Legal Representatives of Victims made an opening statement and were authorised to call one witness on 5 to 7 June and 16 to 17 October 2023 to provide their views. The Defence called 18 witnesses and completed its evidence presentation. Closing statements took place on 11 to 13 December 2024.
What is his sentence?
Sentencing has not yet occurred. The ICC will hold a separate hearing to determine his sentence, which could include a lengthy prison term, given the gravity of the crimes committed.
As of now, Kushayb remains in ICC custody, awaiting sentencing.
What is the Darfur war?
The Darfur war, also referreed to as the Dafur conflict, began in 2003 in the Darfur region of western Sudan. It started when two rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), took up arms against the Sudanese government, accusing it of oppressing non-Arab populations and neglecting the region.
In response, the government armed and supported militias known as the Janjaweed, who carried out widespread attacks on civilians, including mass killings, rape, and the destruction of villages. The war caused a humanitarian crisis, with estimates of 300,000 deaths and 2 to 3 million people displaced internally or as refugees in neighbouring countries such as Chad and the CAR.
The conflict has been marked by allegations of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, leading to ICC indictments of Sudanese officials and militia leaders. Although active fighting has reduced in some areas, violence, displacement, and human rights violations have persisted for decades, making Darfur one of the most protracted crises in modern history.
What is the ICC and who else does ICC have a warrant for from Sudan?
The ICC is an intergovernmental organisation and international tribunal seated in The Hague, Netherlands. The ICC investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
Several individuals from Sudan remain under arrest warrants issued by the ICC for their alleged involvement in atrocities committed during the Darfur conflict.
- Omar Al Bashir: Former President of Sudan, Al Bashir is the most prominent figure sought by the ICC. He faces charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity related to the Darfur conflict. He was the first sitting head of state to be indicted by the ICC.
- Ahmed Harun: Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and a key figure in the government’s response to the Darfur rebellion. He is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and the use of child soldiers.
- Abdel Raouf Abu Zaid: A former Sudanese militia leader, Abu Zaid is wanted for his role in orchestrating attacks against civilians in Darfur. His arrest warrant is part of the ICC’s broader efforts to hold accountable those responsible for atrocities in the region.
- Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein: Former Minister of Defense and Interior, Hussein is accused of being responsible for crimes committed during the Darfur conflict. The ICC issued an arrest warrant for him in 2012.
These individuals are among those indicted by the ICC for their alleged roles in the Darfur atrocities. The ICC continues to seek their arrest and prosecution as part of its mandate to ensure accountability for international crimes.
For more information, visit icc-cpi.int.
This article was written with the assistance of AI and uses the ICC as a primary source of information.
