The Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a decision on Friday, unanimously confirming all charges against Sudanese militia leader, Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman. Consequently, Abd-Al-Rahman, who is also known as Ali Kushayb, was committed to trial before a trial chamber.

Abd-Al-Rahman is considered a top commander of the Janjaweed militia and one of the most senior leaders in the tribal hierarchy in the Wadi Salih locality. He is also a member of the Popular Defence Forces (PDF). He is alleged to have led pro-government initiatives by opposing the Sudanese rebel groups and ultimately displacing 40,000 and murdering 300 civilians.

Although the arrest warrant lists 53 counts of war-related criminal conduct, the court found that there were substantial grounds indicating that Abd-Al-Rahman is responsible for 31 counts of wars crimes and crimes against humanity committed between August 2003 and April 2004 in Darfur, Sudan.

Abd-Al-Rahman faces the following charges: intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such, as a war crime; murder as a crime against humanity and as a war crime; pillaging as a war crime; destruction of the property of an adversary as a war crime; other inhumane acts as a crime against humanity; outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime; rape as a crime against humanity and a war crime; forcible transfer as a crime against humanity; persecution as a crime against humanity; torture as a crime against humanity and a war crime; cruel treatment as a war crime; and attempted murder as a crime against humanity and a war crime.

Abd-Al-Rahman has been in ICC’s custody since June 2020, after voluntarily surrendering himself in the Central African Republic. Shortly after, he made an initial appearance before the ICC. The hearing for the confirmation of the charges was held before the court in May 2021. The decision of the court can only be appealed with the consent of the court itself.