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Sudanese militia leader convicted by ICC for crimes against humanity
The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday found Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, known as Ali Kosheib, guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur between 2003 and 2004.
Kosheib was convicted of murder, rape, torture, and other acts of violence against civilians during Sudan’s brutal civil conflict. “The chamber is convinced that the accused is guilty beyond reasonable doubt,” said presiding judge Joanna Korner. The sentence will be announced between November 17 and 21.
During the trial, the court heard harrowing testimonies describing massacres and sexual violence. In one case, Kosheib reportedly ordered his men to kill dozens of civilians after beating them with axes.
The defendant, who surrendered voluntarily to the ICC in 2020, denied all charges, claiming he turned himself in only because he feared being arrested by Sudanese authorities.
The Darfur conflict, which began in 2003, pitted ethnic minority rebels against the Arab-dominated government of Omar al-Bashir. The regime’s response, through the notorious Janjawid militias, led to more than 300,000 deaths and 2.5 million displaced, according to the UN.
Human rights groups called the verdict a “historic day for justice in Sudan”, saying it sends a strong signal that impunity for atrocities will no longer be tolerated.