The Hague – The International Criminal Court (ICC) (www.ICC-CPI.int) has sentenced Sudan militia leader Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (“Ali Kushayb”) to 20 years’ imprisonment.
The ICC Chamber found Abd-Al-Rahman guilty of 27 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur, Sudan, between August 2003 and April 2004.
Abd-Al-Rahman, who was sentenced on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, was a leading member of Sudan’s infamous Janjaweed militia who participated “actively” in multiple war crimes during the civil war, the court found. (Trial Judgment (http://apo-opa.co/4rKFxAp)
To determine this sentence, the Chamber said it considered the gravity of the crimes and the personal circumstances of the convicted person, and other factors, including the degree of participation, intent of the convicted person, and the harm caused to victims.
The Chamber also considered some mitigating factors.
The maximum penalty under the Rome Statute is 30 years of imprisonment, or life imprisonment when justified by the extreme gravity of the crime and the individual circumstances of the convicted person.
The period of his detention since 9 June 2020 will be deducted from the total time of imprisonment imposed on Abd-Al-Rahman.
Next Steps
The Prosecution and the Defence may appeal the sentence within 30 days.
The Chamber also issued an order for submissions on reparations with the relevant timeline and guidance for this process in this case.
Appeal proceedings against the trial judgment are pending at the moment.
Background
On 6 October 2025, Trial Chamber I found (http://apo-opa.co/4oLfiXY) Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (‘Ali Kushayb’) guilty of 27 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, in Darfur, Sudan, between August 2003 and April 2004.
On 6 November 2025, the Defence filed its notice of appeal (http://apo-opa.co/48FKBxc) against the conviction.
Public redacted version of Sentencing Judgment: http://apo-opa.co/44jjIhj
Summary of the decision: http://apo-opa.co/4rJesgU
Order for submissions on reparations: http://apo-opa.co/4oLfjeu
