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The International Criminal Court has officially found a former militia leader guilty on 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in orchestrating mass violence, including murder, rape, and persecution, during the Darfur genocide between 2003 and 2004.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: Back in 2003, the Darfur region of western Sudan erupted into conflict after non-Arab rebel groups, primarily the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), launched an uprising against Sudan’s Arab-dominated government. In response, the government armed and mobilized Arab militias known as the Janjaweed, who began a brutal campaign to suppress the rebellion. What followed was a genocide against civilian populations from the Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa ethnic groups (communities perceived to support the rebels). Entire villages were burned down, men and boys were executed, and women were subjected to rape and sexual slavery. The United Nations later estimated that between 2003 and 2004 alone, hundreds of thousands were killed and over 2 million people were forced to flee their homes.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, the ICC convicted Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, one of the top commanders of the Janjaweed militia. He was found guilty on 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, torture, forcible transfer of populations, and attacks on civilians. During the trial, prosecutors presented extensive evidence, including testimony from survivors, who described how Kushayb’s forces attacked villages indiscriminately, executed men and boys, and subjected women to gang rapes and other forms of sexual slavery.

Witnesses recalled scenes of families torn apart, homes set ablaze, and livestock seized to starve communities into submission. Documentary evidence, including Sudanese government communications and field reports, showed that Kushayb not only directed these operations but was often physically present at the sites of atrocities, personally giving orders to execute detainees or assault civilians.

In his defense, Abd-Al-Rahman claimed mistaken identity, arguing that he had been wrongly accused and was not the commander prosecutors portrayed him to be. He contended that his role in Darfur was exaggerated and that the case against him was politically motivated. However, the ICC’s three-judge panel unanimously dismissed these claims, stating that the evidence proved “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Abd-Al-Rahman ordered, supported, and participated in widespread and systematic attacks on civilian populations.

Following his conviction, Abd-Al-Rahman now faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. While the court has not yet determined the exact punishment, a separate sentencing phase will take place, which will also open the door to reparations for victims.