The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations highest court, on Monday dismissed a genocide lawsuit filed by the Sudanese government against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) .
The court, in The Hague, said it was not legally competent to rule on the matter.
The Sudanese government had accused the UAE of aiding genocide by arming and financially supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rebel militia in Darfur, thereby violating the Genocide Convention.
Sudan had requested urgent measures from the court against the Gulf nation.
The UAE had firmly rejected the allegations, arguing that the court was not legally competent to issue a ruling on the matter, an argument the top UN court bought, although it expressed its concern about violence in the region.
The Emirates argued that while it is a signatory to the Genocide Convention, it had lodged a reservation regarding the jurisdiction of the UN court in cases of conflict.
As a result, the court cannot now hear the case.
Sudan, with its population of around 50 million, has been embroiled in a civil war for approximately two years.
According to aid organisations, the power struggle between government forces and the RSF militia had led to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
Millions of people are fleeing and facing acute hunger.
The region of Darfur, bordering Chad, has been particularly affected.
Reports from West Darfur describe massacres against the Masalit ethnic group, sexual violence, and other crimes committed by the RSF.
There are fears of a renewed genocide, similar to the one that occurred in Darfur 20 years ago. (dpa/NAN)
