Sudan militia leader sentenced to 20 years for war crimes by ICC

Former Janjaweed militia leader Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on December 9, 2025. The 76-year-old was convicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Sudan’s Darfur region. The charges stemmed from 31 counts, including those related to killings, rape, and the mass displacement of people. Abd-Al-Rahman's sentencing marks a significant step in addressing atrocities committed during the Darfur conflict. The ICC's decision underscores the court's commitment to holding individuals accountable for serious international crimes.

Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, a Sudanese militia leader, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Darfur region of Sudan between 2003 and 2004. Kushayb, a leader of the Janjaweed militia, was found guilty in October on 27 counts related to attacks on non-Arab populations during the Darfur conflict, which began when the Arab-dominated government armed the Janjaweed to suppress a rebellion. The Janjaweed systematically attacked villages, leading to accusations of genocide. Kushayb is the first person to be tried by the ICC for atrocities committed during this conflict. The violence in Darfur continues today as many Janjaweed fighters joined the RSF, who have been accused of ethnic cleansing in the current civil war.