Archive · 18 Nov 2025
ICC Prosecutors Seek Life Sentence for Janjaweed Leader in Darfur Atrocities
A man named Ali Kushayb, who was part of a group called the Janjaweed in Sudan's Darfur region, was found guilty of doing very bad things more than 20 years ago.
These included hurting people, killing them, and causing terrible suffering.
Now, the lawyers who put him on trial want him to stay in jail for the rest of his life because of how bad his actions were.
They even said he used an axe to kill some people.
However, his own lawyers think he should only go to jail for about seven years and then be let go.
They are waiting to hear what the judge will decide about how long his punishment should be.
Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) seek a life sentence for Janjaweed militia leader Ali Kushayb.
Kushayb was convicted in October on 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for atrocities in Darfur.
Prosecutors described Kushayb as an 'axe murderer' and an 'enthusiastic perpetrator' of the crimes.
The defense is requesting a maximum sentence of seven years, with credit for time served.
The Darfur conflict began in 2003, and the ICC case was referred by the UN Security Council in 2005.
- Who
- Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court and the defense team for Ali Kushayb, a Janjaweed militia leader.
- What
- Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for Ali Kushayb, who was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity for atrocities in Darfur. The defense is seeking a seven-year sentence.
- When
- Monday (referring to the special hearing), with the conviction occurring in October. The atrocities occurred more than 20 years ago, and the Darfur conflict began in 2003.
- Where
- The International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands; the atrocities occurred in the Darfur region of Sudan.
- Why
- Kushayb was convicted of numerous counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder and torture, related to the conflict in Darfur.
Prosecutors
Defense
Sentencing
Prosecutors
Seek a life sentence for Ali Kushayb, describing him as an 'axe murderer' and an enthusiastic perpetrator of atrocities.
Defense
Call for a maximum of seven years in prison, with credit for time served, potentially leading to release in months.
Defendant's Identity
Prosecutors
Implicitly acknowledges the defendant as Ali Kushayb through the prosecution process.
Defense
Had previously argued that the defendant was not Kushayb and was a victim of mistaken identity.
- Defendant
- Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (also known as Ali Kushayb)
- Conviction
- October, 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity
- Prosecutor
- Julian Nicholls
- Court
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- Region
- Darfur, Sudan
- Conflict Start
- 2003
- Paramilitary Group
- Janjaweed
