ICC Convicts Janjaweed Commander Ali Kushayb

The ICC convicted former Janjaweed commander Ali Muhammad Ali Abd‑Al‑Rahman (Ali Kushayb) of war crimes and crimes against humanity for atrocities in Darfur in 2003–2004, finding him guilty on the majority of the 31 charges (reports cite 27 guilty verdicts). Judges said he personally led and encouraged Janjaweed attacks that included mass killings, rape, torture, pillaging and loading prisoners onto trucks to be taken to their deaths, based on testimony from dozens of survivors. Sentencing will be scheduled later. The verdict is the ICC’s first conviction linked to the Darfur crisis and follows his 2020 surrender to the court after years in hiding. Rights groups hailed the decision as a landmark and urged governments to pursue other suspects, including former president Omar al‑Bashir, even as Sudan continues to face renewed fighting and a severe humanitarian emergency.