Somali Judge with Puntland Roots Criticizes World Court’s Rejection of Sudan’s Genocide Case Against UAE

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that it lacks jurisdiction to hear Sudan’s case accusing the United Arab Emirates of committing acts of genocide by allegedly supplying arms and support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The UAE denies all allegations of involvement with the RSF.

In a strong dissenting opinion, Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf—a Somali jurist with roots in the Puntland region—criticized the court’s decision to reject the case without examining its substance. His dissent raised concerns about the court’s commitment to justice in cases involving powerful states and alleged mass atrocities.

The case had alleged that the UAE’s support of RSF forces contributed to widespread killings and displacement in Sudan’s Darfur region. Despite mounting evidence and testimonies, the ICJ found it lacked jurisdiction under the Genocide Convention.

Judge Yusuf’s dissent is being seen as a rare yet bold challenge to the court’s increasingly cautious approach in politically sensitive cases.