Sudan: ICC indictment begins against Ali Kushayb, former Janjaweed leader

Former Janjaweed leader Ali Mohammed Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, faces charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The alleged crimes were committed in 2003 and 2004 during the Darfur conflict in Eastern Sudan. This landmark case marks the first trial of a Sudanese official for atrocities in Darfur.

Over three days, beginning December 11, the prosecutor, representatives of the victims, and the defense will present their closing arguments. These final pleas will conclude a nearly three-year trial involving 78 days of hearings. During the proceedings, Ali Kushayb portrayed himself as a reluctant participant in the war—a simple pharmacist from Garsila who claimed to be a man of peace thrust into conflict.

However, the prosecution paints a starkly different picture. According to the ICC prosecutor, Ali Kushayb was a Janjaweed leader allied with Sudan’s Khartoum government to suppress the Darfur rebellion. This counter-insurgency campaign led to devastating consequences: 300,000 deaths and 230,000 refugees, primarily fleeing to neighboring Chad, according to United Nations estimates.

The prosecution accuses Ali Kushayb of recruiting, arming, financing, and commanding Janjaweed militias while personally participating in attacks against civilians. To substantiate these claims, the prosecution presented testimony from 56 witnesses, many of whom testified anonymously or under pseudonyms to protect their identities. The defense called 18 witnesses to challenge these allegations.

As the trial wraps up, the judges will deliberate on the evidence presented. Ali Kushayb is not the only Sudanese official indicted for crimes in Darfur—three other former officials from Omar al-Bashir’s regime, including al-Bashir himself, remain fugitives. This trial represents a pivotal moment in seeking accountability for the atrocities committed in Darfur.