Sudan: ICC Hears Calls for Reparations for Ali Kushayb Victims in Darfur

What the report says

The International Criminal Court in The Hague has begun hearing submissions on reparations for victims of crimes in Darfur linked to Ali Kushayb, following his conviction in the case. According to Dabanga’s report distributed by AllAfrica, the session brought together victims’ legal representatives, prosecutors, the Trust Fund for Victims, the court registry, supporting organizations, amicus participants, the defense and, if represented, the Sudanese government.

Victims’ representative Natalie von Wistinghausen urged the court to focus on practical relief rather than symbolic recognition alone. She said consultations and surveys with more than 1,100 responses helped identify priorities, including return and reintegration support, medical care, education, income-generating projects, and assistance for vulnerable groups. For refugees in Chad, she highlighted needs such as healthcare, food security, schooling for children and ways to become self-sufficient.

The submissions also emphasized the right to return to original land, with a call for mapping and documentation work to preserve details of villages and community boundaries before any physical return. The report said the representative warned of logistical, security and identification challenges, especially given the spread of victims across Darfur, refugee camps in Chad and the wider diaspora.

The hearing concerns the reparations phase after Trial Chamber I found Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, guilty of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. The court will issue a decision later, and the reparations order may be individual, collective or both.