THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking the maximum penalty of life imprisonment for Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, better known as Ali Kushayb, a former commander of Sudan’s notorious Janjaweed militia.
Prosecutors say Abd-Al-Rahman played a central role in the brutal campaign of massacres, rapes, and village burnings that devastated Darfur more than 20 years ago. Last month, he was convicted on 27 counts, including murder, rape, and persecution — marking the ICC’s first-ever conviction related to the Darfur conflict.
Defense Plea for Leniency
Despite overwhelming evidence, Abd-Al-Rahman has maintained his innocence, claiming he was not the man known as Ali Kushayb — a defense rejected by judges. His lawyers are now seeking a dramatically reduced sentence of seven years, which could see the 76-year-old freed within 18 months due to time already served.
Wider Context
The case comes amid renewed turmoil in Sudan, where fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has spiraled since 2023. At least 40,000 people have been killed and 12 million displaced, with Darfur again facing mass atrocities.
Analysts say the sentencing of one of the region’s most feared militia leaders carries symbolic weight, as the ICC attempts to deliver justice in a conflict that continues to destabilize Sudan and alarm the international community.