Janjaweed Leader Sentenced to 20 Years for Darfur War Crimes
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A leader of the Sudanese Janjaweed militia, Ali Muhammad Ali Abd–Al-Rahman, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the devastating conflict in Darfur over two decades ago. The sentencing marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice for atrocities committed in the region, though prosecutors expressed disappointment with the length of the sentence.
A Legacy of Violence in Darfur
The conviction centers around crimes perpetrated between 2003 and 2004, including ordering mass executions and the brutal killing of two prisoners who were bludgeoned to death with an axe. Abd–Al-Rahman, 76, stood silently as Presiding Judge Joanna Korner delivered the verdict at the court in The Hague. While convicted on 27 counts, he displayed no visible reaction.
Prosecutors had argued for a life sentence, emphasizing the severity and deliberate nature of Abd–Al-Rahman’s actions. “He committed these crimes knowingly, wilfully, and with, the evidence shows, enthusiasm and vigour,” a prosecutor stated during the November sentencing hearing. The court ultimately imposed a joint sentence of 20 years, after considering individual sentences ranging from eight to 20 years for each count.
Direct Perpetration and Targeted Attacks
Judge Korner detailed the extent of Abd–Al-Rahman’s culpability, stating he “not only gave the orders that led directly to the crimes” but “also personally perpetrated some of them using an axe he carried in order to beat prisoners.” The attacks primarily targeted members of the Fur tribe, who were perceived as supporting a rebellion against Sudanese authorities.
The ICC prosecution office indicated it would review the sentencing decision to determine whether to appeal for a life term. In a written statement, the office highlighted the “extreme gravity of the crimes” – including murders, rapes, torture, and persecution – committed by Abd–Al-Rahman as a direct perpetrator, co-perpetrator, and through the direction of others. The scale of the suffering was underscored by the fact that at least 213 people were murdered, including children, and 16 women and girls were victims of rape.
First ICC Conviction for Darfur Atrocities
Abd–Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, is the first individual convicted by the ICC for atrocities committed in Sudan’s Darfur region. Trial judges previously determined that the crimes committed by the Janjaweed militia were part of a broader government plan to suppress the rebellion. While the ICC’s maximum sentence is typically 30 years, judges have the discretion to impose a life sentence in exceptionally grave cases. Any time Abd–Al-Rahman has already spent in detention will be deducted from his sentence.
Ongoing Violence and New Investigations
Despite the conviction, violence continues to plague Darfur amid Sudan’s ongoing civil war. The conflict, which erupted in 2023 from a power struggle between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region. The RSF itself has roots in the Janjaweed militia, raising concerns about a continuation of the cycle of violence.
ICC prosecutors are currently focused on gathering and preserving evidence related to recent alleged atrocities in el-Fasher, a besieged city in Darfur. The latest incidents are considered part of a wider pattern of violence and “may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity,” according to an ICC statement. This evidence could be crucial for future prosecutions.
The situation in Sudan remains deeply unstable, and the international community continues to monitor developments closely, seeking accountability for the ongoing human rights violations.
