The International Criminal Court (ICC) has sentenced Ali Muhammad Ali Abd al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, a former leader of Sudan’s notorious Janjaweed militia, to 20 years in prison for crimes committed during the Darfur conflict in 2003 and 2004. This conviction marks the ICC’s first successful trial for atrocities committed in Darfur.

At 76 years old, Kushayb was found guilty on 31 counts, including murder, torture, rape, attacks on civilians, pillaging, forced displacement, persecution, and the destruction of property. His actions were carried out as part of a systematic campaign of violence against non-Arab communities in the region.

Court Details Brutal Crimes and ‘Axe Murders’

Judge Joanna Korner emphasized that Kushayb “personally perpetrated” acts of extreme violence, including beatings and killings with an axe. Victims testified that his campaign aimed at extermination, humiliation, and displacement of entire communities in Darfur.

Prosecutors described Kushayb as “literally an axe murderer,” highlighting the particularly brutal nature of his crimes. The defense had requested a seven-year sentence, while prosecutors argued for life imprisonment. The court also credited time Kushayb spent in detention since his surrender on June 9, 2020, toward his 20-year sentence.

Kushayb had consistently denied his identity as a senior Janjaweed leader, claiming the court had the wrong person. These claims were rejected by the ICC judges.

First ICC Conviction for Darfur

The Darfur region, located in western Sudan, has endured decades of violence. In the early 2000s, non-Arab tribes revolted against systematic discrimination, prompting the Sudanese government to deploy the Janjaweed, an Arab-dominated militia. The UN estimates that 300,000 people were killed and 2.5 million displaced during the initial conflict.

Kushayb fled to the Central African Republic in February 2020 but surrendered voluntarily due to fear for his life. His conviction now represents a milestone in international justice for Darfur victims.

Darfur Faces Renewed Humanitarian Crisis

Although Kushayb’s conviction addresses crimes from two decades ago, Darfur continues to suffer. Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a civil war between the military-led government and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has roots in the Janjaweed militia.

The RSF now controls Darfur as of November 2025 and is expanding eastwards, causing mass displacement, famine risks, and ongoing atrocities. Millions of civilians remain vulnerable, and humanitarian organizations warn of a worsening crisis.

Background on Janjaweed and Darfur Conflict

• The Janjaweed were primarily nomadic Arab militias armed by the Sudanese government to suppress rebel groups.
• Violence included massacres, sexual assaults, and forced displacements targeting Black African tribes.
• The RSF, derived from the Janjaweed, continues to play a central role in Sudan’s ongoing conflicts.

The ICC’s ruling against Kushayb signals international accountability for war crimes, though experts stress that lasting peace and protection of civilians in Darfur remain urgent priorities.