The International Criminal Court on Monday delivered its first verdict tied to atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur conflict, convicting militia leader Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman of 27 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including rape, murder and persecution. Sentencing will follow after additional hearings.
The case marks the only ICC trial stemming from Sudan since the U.N. Security Council referred the situation in 2005, a milestone for the court two decades after the worst violence in Darfur. Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, was a senior militia figure during the 2003–2004 campaign.
Outstanding ICC warrants remain for Sudanese officials, including one accusing former dictator Omar al-Bashir of genocide.
