More than two decades after the atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur region, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has convicted Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, better known as Ali Kushayb, on 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The verdict marks the first and only conviction stemming from the Darfur conflict since the UN Security Council referred the case in 2005.

Kushayb, a senior commander in the Janjaweed militia, was found guilty of orchestrating systematic attacks on non-Arab communities, including acts of murder, rape, and persecution. ICC Judge Joanna Korner said Kushayb “encouraged and gave instructions that resulted in killings, rapes, and destruction,” rejecting his defense of mistaken identity. She cited government documents outlining a secret plan to “wipe out and sweep away” non-Arab tribes — a campaign that led to mass executions, torture, and displacement. His sentence will be determined in upcoming hearings.

Born in West Darfur, Kushayb commanded thousands of Janjaweed fighters under the Popular Defence Forces (PDF), aligned with then-President Omar al-Bashir’s regime. The Janjaweed were accused of carrying out genocidal violence beginning in 2003 after non-Arab groups rebelled against Khartoum’s rule. The U.S. and human rights organizations have long classified the atrocities in Darfur as genocide.

Kushayb surrendered to the ICC in 2020 while in the Central African Republic, 13 years after his first arrest warrant was issued. Analysts have described the conviction as a delayed but historic moment. “Twenty years too late is never satisfying,” said Sudanese analyst Kholood Khair, “but it’s still a landmark case — the first time a state-aligned Sudanese official has been held accountable.”

Survivors of the Darfur conflict expressed cautious relief. “The ruling is a victory for us and for justice,” said Jamal Abdallah, a 32-year-old displaced victim from West Darfur. “For 22 years we’ve lived in camps because of his crimes.”

Despite the judgment, the situation in Sudan remains dire. The Janjaweed militias were rebranded as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in 2013 under Bashir’s rule, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) — himself a former Janjaweed commander. The RSF is now fighting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in a brutal civil war that began in April 2023, drawing new accusations of genocide in Darfur.

Outstanding ICC warrants remain for top Sudanese officials, including Omar al-Bashir and Ahmed Haroun, both charged with genocide and crimes against humanity. Bashir is believed to be in military custody, while Haroun escaped prison last year.

Human rights advocates say the verdict, though symbolic, highlights both progress and the limits of international justice. “Ali Kushayb wasn’t the biggest player in the Darfur genocide,” Khair noted. “This ruling matters — but for those suffering in Sudan’s current war, justice from afar offers little comfort.”