The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday convicted former Darfur militia leader Ali Mohammed Ali Abdel-Rahman, known as “Ali Kushayb,” of 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape and persecution.
The case marks the first conviction related to atrocities committed in Sudan’s Darfur region more than 20 years ago.
Following the verdict, the court called on Sudan’s de facto authorities in Port Sudan—aligned with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s army (SAF)—to extradite ousted dictator Omar al-Bashir, as well as his former ministers Ahmed Haroun and Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein, who are wanted on similar charges.
Kushayb, who surrendered to the ICC in 2020, was accused of commanding Janjaweed militia forces responsible for attacks on civilians in Darfur between 2003 and 2004. His sentencing will be determined after a new round of hearings.