ICC Imposes 20-Year Sentence On Janjaweed Commander Ali Kushayb In Landmark Darfur Conviction

The International Criminal Court on Tuesday sentenced Ali Muhammad Ali Abd‑Al‑Rahman, widely known as Ali Kushayb, to 20 years in prison after his October conviction on multiple counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur in 2003–2004.

Judgment and sentence

Judges unanimously found the 76‑year‑old guilty on 31 counts, including attacks on civilians, murder, torture, rape, pillaging, destruction of property, persecution and forcible transfer of populations. Presiding Judge Joanna Korner said Abd‑Al‑Rahman had "personally perpetrated" beatings — including with an axe — and issued orders that led to killings.

"You literally have an axe murderer before you. This is the stuff of nightmares," prosecutor Julian Nicholls said at a pre‑sentencing hearing, describing some of the most horrific incidents in the case.

The prosecution had sought a life sentence; defence lawyers asked for seven years. The ICC confirmed that time Abd‑Al‑Rahman spent in custody after surrendering on 9 June 2020 will be credited against the 20‑year term.

Historical and contemporary context

This ruling represents the ICC's first conviction for crimes in Darfur — a region that suffered mass atrocities in the 2000s and has again seen widespread violence since a new civil war erupted in April 2023 between the military‑linked Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF traces its roots to the Janjaweed militias.

The United Nations estimates that the Darfur conflict of the 2000s killed roughly 300,000 people and displaced about 2.5 million. The RSF seized full control of Darfur in November and has been accused, along with other forces, of committing further atrocities amid an acute humanitarian crisis that has left millions displaced and at risk of famine.

Defendant's account and surrender

Throughout his trial, Abd‑Al‑Rahman denied being a senior Janjaweed official and repeatedly claimed he was "not Ali Kushayb," arguing the court had the wrong man — a claim the judges rejected. He fled to the Central African Republic in February 2020 after Sudan's transitional authorities said they would cooperate with the ICC; he later surrendered, saying he feared being killed if detained by others.

Significance

The conviction is a landmark for international justice in Darfur and may affect accountability efforts as violence continues in Sudan. While the sentence carries symbolic and legal weight, humanitarian needs on the ground remain urgent.