A Significant Milestone for Survivors of Darfur’s Genocide

Historic ICC Conviction of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (“Ali Kushayb”)

Washington D.C.- Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG) applauds a pivotal moment in the history of Darfur’s long and painful struggle for justice. On October 6th, 2025, the International Criminal Court delivered a landmark and much-awaited verdict convicting Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, known as Ali Kushayb, of 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including mass killings, rape, persecution, and torture, for his leadership of the Janjaweed militia during 2003–2004. This is the first time the ICC has secured a conviction for crimes committed against the people of Darfur, which is a significant step toward justice for survivors of the genocide who have waited over two decades for accountability. More than just a legal milestone, this decision is a moral win. It stands as an acknowledgment of the truth that Darfuri survivors have carried for decades that the crimes committed were systematic, targeted, and genocidal in nature. For those who lost loved ones, homes, and entire communities, it affirms that justice remains possible because of their persistence and courage.

Ali Kushayb was a senior commander of the Janjaweed militia, government-backed forces that spearheaded the genocidal campaign in Darfur. The ICC found that he led Janjaweed units in Wadi Salih and Mukjar, directing attacks on villages such as Kodoom, Bindisi, Mukjar, and Deleig between August 2003 and March 2004. Under his orders, fighters carried out mass killings, sexual violence, torture, and the burning and looting of civilian areas, all part of a coordinated, state-supported campaign to annihilate non-Arab communities perceived as sympathetic to rebel movements. Ali Kushayb’s violence was a part of the broader campaign of brutality undertaken against the people of Darfur since the early 2000s. The people of Darfur have endured unspeakable suffering under the scorched earth campaign, with an estimated 300,000 killed, more than 3 million displaced, remaining trapped in camps for years, and unable to return home because their attackers have yet to be apprehended. And today, two decades after this genocide first started, the cycle of violence continues. On April 15th, war engulfed the Sudan, exacerbated by the systematic attacks on civilians on ethnic bases, such as the massacre of Massalet in West Darfur, and Elfasher, where millions more are living under siege, with imposed famine, and intensified violence.

Ali Kushayb’s conviction, even though late, is particularly critical for bringing long-overdue recognition to the victims’ pain. It will further enable victims to tell their stories in a court of justice to restore their dignity. It sends a strong message to the perpetrators of the past and present that impunity for serious international crimes is not an option, and that justice can still reach those who once seemed untouchable. DWAG emphasizes that this victory is only partial. Other individuals, including former President Omar al-Bashir and other senior officials, remain at large and must be brought to face trial. For the victims and the affected community in Darfur, justice is no less than seeing Al-Bashir behind bars. The court must make an effort to ensure that justice is not selective.

Importantly, this ruling also recognized that gender and ethnicity-based targeting was integral to these crimes, marking a historic acknowledgment of the intersectional violence inflicted on Darfuri men, women, and children; an understanding that aligns with DWAG’s long-standing advocacy for survivor-centered and gender-just accountability. It sets a critical precedent for future trials to be viewed through an intersectional lens, where ethnicity, gender, and power intersect.

“The outcomes of the Ali Kushayb case have not come without a consistent fight. It is the result of long labor for the affected community, civil society groups, human rights community, dedicated court staff, and all working on advancing international justice, who have worked tirelessly for years to bring about this outcome. It is not the end of the road, but it is the beginning- the fight continues,” said Niemat Ahmadi, DWAG president.

DWAG applauds the courage of all witnesses who came forward despite immense risk and trauma. Their bravery ensured that the truth of Darfur could not be erased or rewritten. We also celebrate this ruling as a moment of validation and recognition for our work and the survivors’ courage, testimony, and persistence, which keep the harsh reality of the genocide in Darfur alive. DWAG continues to stand strong behind its long-standing mission of bringing the voices of survivors to the forefront and ensuring that all efforts toward justice in Darfur remain survivor-led, inclusive, and grounded in their lived experiences.

Even as we mark this achievement, Sudan remains engulfed in another devastating war. The same patterns of mass murder, sexual violence, starvation, and displacement continue today, particularly in El Fasher, Kordofan, and the Nuba Mountains. This conviction must therefore serve as a wake-up call to warring parties and international institutions: justice cannot wait until conflicts end; it must be pursued in parallel with protection.

Our fight for justice is grounded in our organization’s vision- equal rights, justice for all, and respect for human dignity, and its firm commitment that no one is above the law. We wish to thank each and every one from near and far who have contributed to our fight for justice for the victims and accountability for perpetrators. We reaffirm our mission to amplify survivor voices, document atrocities, and advocate for gender responsive accountability in every forum available.

Without accountability, there will not be peace in Sudan.

With Gratitude,

Niemat Ahmadi

President, Darfur Women Action Group