The International Criminal Court on Tuesday sentenced Sudanese militia commander Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, widely known as Ali Kushayb, to 20 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Darfur conflict more than two decades ago.
The 76-year-old, dressed in a blue suit, stood as presiding judge Joanna Korner delivered the ruling in The Hague. Abd-Al-Rahman had been convicted on 27 counts, including murder, rape, torture, persecution and attacks on civilians, committed between 2003 and 2004 when he served as a senior leader of the Janjaweed militia.
Korner said the court found that Abd-Al-Rahman “personally perpetrated” violent assaults, including beatings with an axe, and issued execution orders. She cited testimony from survivors who described a “campaign of extermination, humiliation and displacement” carried out under his command.
“Days of torture began at sunrise… blood ran freely in the streets… There was no medical help, no treatment, no mercy,” Korner read from victims’ accounts, adding that Abd-Al-Rahman at times walked on the heads of injured men, women and children.
Prosecutors had sought a life sentence, with lead prosecutor Julian Nicholls telling the chamber, “You literally have an axe murderer before you. This is the stuff of nightmares.” Abd-Al-Rahman denied being a high-ranking Janjaweed leader and fled Sudan to the Central African Republic in 2020 after Khartoum signalled cooperation with the ICC. He later surrendered to the court, claiming he feared being killed by authorities — a claim the judges dismissed.
The court considered his voluntary surrender, age and good behaviour in detention as mitigating factors. Time served since June 2020 will be deducted from the 20-year term.
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The Darfur conflict erupted in the early 2000s when non-Arab groups took up arms against Sudan’s government, accusing it of discrimination. The regime responded by deploying the Janjaweed, a predominantly Arab force. The United Nations estimates the conflict killed 300,000 people and displaced 2.5 million.
ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang described the conviction as “symbolic”, saying it sends a message that “justice may be slow, but it will get you in the end.”
The ruling comes as Sudan faces a new devastating conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group that evolved from the Janjaweed. Tens of thousands have been killed and millions displaced, with aid agencies warning of famine conditions. ICC prosecutors said they are preparing additional arrest warrants linked to the ongoing crisis.
In sentencing Abd-Al-Rahman, Korner said the court sought both retribution and deterrence, noting that the need for deterrence is “particularly apposite” given Sudan’s current situation.