The UK used a UN Security Council discussion on Sudan to welcome the International Criminal Court’s conviction of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman. Officials characterised the ruling as a legal milestone: the first ICC conviction to arise from a Security Council referral, the first to address crimes committed in Darfur in 2003–2004, and the Court’s first conviction for persecution on gender grounds.
The statement highlighted the Office of the Prosecutor’s engagement with victims and affected communities. For practitioners, the judgment strengthens jurisprudence on gender persecution under the Rome Statute and clarifies evidentiary expectations relevant to conflict-related sexual violence and discriminatory conduct.
Turning to current conditions, the UK noted that 9 January 2026 marked 1,000 days since fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces began, with the conflict driving millions towards famine. The UK reiterated its condemnation of violence by both parties and restated support for efforts to investigate and prosecute alleged international crimes.
The UK welcomed the ICC Office’s investigations into atrocity crimes in Al Geneina and expressed deep concern regarding the Office’s findings on El Fasher. Reports following the RSF’s October takeover included alleged mass killings, ethnically targeted attacks and the use of rape as a method of warfare, with more than 107,000 people displaced.
The UK urged all actors to cease hostilities, protect civilians and allow rapid, unimpeded humanitarian access, citing the requirements set out by the Council in Resolution 2736. Compliance would require clear command orders, practical deconfliction for aid convoys and the removal of administrative barriers that delay assistance.
Co-operation with the Court was framed as essential. The UK noted constructive steps by Sudanese authorities, including recent contacts in The Hague and enhanced co-operation referenced in the Prosecutor’s report, but stressed that these commitments must translate into arrests and surrender of ICC suspects Omar Al Bashir, Abdel Raheem Hussein and Ahmad Harun. The UK also regretted the RSF’s failure to engage with the Office.
To support evidence-gathering, states and regional organisations were encouraged to share satellite imagery, facilitate witness interviews and transmit material to prosecutors via the OTP Link platform. This signals an expectation that governments apply technical capabilities to assist investigations while safeguarding witnesses.
The UK welcomed stronger co-ordination between the ICC and the African Union Fact-Finding Mission and recognised the contribution of civil society organisations in documenting violations and supporting survivor access to justice. Sustained resourcing and information-sharing were presented as decisive for case progress.
Reaffirming principle, the UK stated its support for the ICC’s independence and said it does not support sanctioning individuals or organisations associated with the Court. The position reflects prior UK commitments tied to the Rome Statute and to Security Council referrals.
The statement concluded that impunity risks perpetuating cycles of violence. In practical terms, the UK linked accountability to parallel efforts to halt hostilities and to deliver humanitarian relief, indicating that justice processes and conflict resolution must proceed together to secure peace for Sudanese civilians.