The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday, 6 October 2025, delivered its first conviction for crimes committed during the Darfur conflict, finding Ali Muhammad Ali Abd–Al-Rahman — also known as Ali Kushayb — guilty on 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The three-judge panel ruled unanimously that Abd–Al-Rahman played a leading role in atrocities committed between 2003 and 2004, including mass executions, rapes, and the brutal killing of two prisoners with an axe.
He showed no emotion as the verdict was read, and he now faces a maximum life sentence. His conviction marks a milestone for the court’s efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for the Darfur atrocities.
Abd–Al-Rahman surrendered in the Central African Republic in 2020 and pleaded not guilty during his trial, which began in April 2022. Judges rejected his defence, citing evidence — including his own recorded admissions — confirming his identity and role as a senior Janjaweed commander. During the proceedings, 56 witnesses gave harrowing accounts of mass violence, scorched-earth tactics, and the systematic use of rape as a weapon of war. Up to 300,000 people were killed, and 2.7 million displaced during the conflict under former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who remains wanted by the ICC but has not been handed over.
The verdict comes at a critical moment, as fresh atrocities continue in Sudan amid ongoing clashes between the Rapid Support Forces and the military, which erupted in 2023. Human rights defenders and international prosecutors have hailed the ruling as a long-awaited victory for Darfur’s victims.
Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan emphasised that the conviction “sends a resounding message” to perpetrators that justice will prevail. Activists have renewed calls for other suspects, including al-Bashir, to be handed over to the ICC. The court’s achievement stands out amid mounting scrutiny, including its high-profile warrants against Israeli leaders and internal investigations into its chief prosecutor.