Anna Holligan

So that's part of the defence's argument that he's at 80 years old suffering from dementia.

But these claims that he's not able to follow the proceedings have been rejected by the judges here.

They say he's fit enough for these hearings at least to go ahead.

Exactly.

Years.

And I spoke to one relative on the way in and she said that she has been waiting almost her entire life for this moment to see him before the judges.

And in fact, that was one of the things mentioned by the victim's representative that in refusing to appear in court,

or even via video link from his detention centre not far from here, he has done them out of some access to justice.

There was also a very graphic image shown this morning of one of the victims in his partner's arms, dead after one of these alleged killings.

So much more graphic testimony to come over the coming days here at the ICC.

According to Sudan's filing here at the ICJ, the Rapid Support Forces are alleged to have committed widespread atrocities, so in particular targeting the ethnic Masalit community in western Darfur. These crimes are alleged to include systematic attacks on these non-Arab groups with the intent to destroy them as a distinct ethnic group.

According to Sudan's filing here at the ICJ, the Rapid Support Forces are alleged to have committed widespread atrocities, so in particular targeting the ethnic Masalit community in western Darfur. These crimes are alleged to include systematic attacks on these non-Arab groups with the intent to destroy them as a distinct ethnic group.

The reports indicate around 15,000 civilians were massacred between May and June 2023. The RSF is also accused of using rape as a weapon of war against civilians. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced into Chad, alongside millions inside Sudan. Entire villages burned down. So widespread allegations put forward by Sudan.

The reports indicate around 15,000 civilians were massacred between May and June 2023. The RSF is also accused of using rape as a weapon of war against civilians. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced into Chad, alongside millions inside Sudan. Entire villages burned down. So widespread allegations put forward by Sudan.

But of course, they can't bring the RSF to the ICJ because it's a political military organisation and the ICJ deals with disputes between states, which is why Sudan has focused on one of the RSF's alleged sponsors.

But of course, they can't bring the RSF to the ICJ because it's a political military organisation and the ICJ deals with disputes between states, which is why Sudan has focused on one of the RSF's alleged sponsors.

So Sudan argues these atrocities were enabled by the financial, military and political support from the United Arab Emirates, including arms shipments, drone training, recruitment of mercenaries. So it claims that this means the UAE is complicit in genocide and they're asking for reparations and also urgent measures to prevent any further genocidal acts.

So Sudan argues these atrocities were enabled by the financial, military and political support from the United Arab Emirates, including arms shipments, drone training, recruitment of mercenaries. So it claims that this means the UAE is complicit in genocide and they're asking for reparations and also urgent measures to prevent any further genocidal acts.

We've heard a lot from the UAE over the last few days. UAE has strongly rejected Khartoum's allegations, said it would seek an immediate dismissal. The ICJ, they say, is not a stage for political theatrics. It must not be weaponized for disinformation.

We've heard a lot from the UAE over the last few days. UAE has strongly rejected Khartoum's allegations, said it would seek an immediate dismissal. The ICJ, they say, is not a stage for political theatrics. It must not be weaponized for disinformation.