Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have handed down a 20-year prison sentence to a prominent figure of the notorious Sudanese Janjaweed militia for his involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity during the devastating conflict in Darfur over twenty years ago.
Ali Muhammad Ali Abd–Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, was convicted in October on 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which included orchestrating mass executions and brutally murdering two prisoners with an ax in 2003-2004. During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Julian Nicholls emphasized that Abd-Al-Rahman committed these heinous acts deliberately and with zeal.
At the age of 76, Abd-Al-Rahman received varying sentences ranging from eight to 20 years for each count, culminating in a total imprisonment term of 20 years. Judge Joanna Korner highlighted that Abd-Al-Rahman not only ordered but also personally carried out violent attacks targeting the Fur tribe, viewed as supporters of a rebellion against Sudanese authorities, using an ax to beat prisoners.
The ICC prosecution office stated it would review the sentencing decision to determine if further action, including an appeal for a life sentence, is warranted. The office underscored the severity of Abd-Al-Rahman’s crimes, which included murders, rapes, torture, and persecution, affecting a significant number of victims, including children and women.
Abd-Al-Rahman’s conviction marks a milestone as the first individual held accountable by the ICC for atrocities in Darfur, where the Janjaweed’s actions were deemed part of a systematic government effort to suppress rebellion. While the ICC’s maximum sentence is 30 years, judges can extend this to life imprisonment in exceptional cases. Abd-Al-Rahman’s pre-trial and trial detention period will be subtracted from his total sentence.
Although Abd-Al-Rahman’s crimes date back over two decades, ongoing violence in Darfur due to civil unrest underscores the importance of justice. ICC prosecutors are actively gathering evidence from recent deadly incidents in the region for potential future prosecutions.
The recent violence in El Fasher, amidst a dire famine situation, is seen as part of a broader pattern of atrocities in Darfur that could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Judge Korner stressed that ICC sentences serve as a deterrent against future crimes, particularly crucial given the current situation in Sudan.