The International Criminal Court (ICC) convicted Ali Muhammad Ali Abd–Al-Rahman, a leader of Sudan’s Janjaweed militia, for atrocities committed during the Darfur genocide over 20 years ago.

Abd–Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, was found guilty on 27 counts including mass killings, sexual violence, and beatings carried out between 2003 and 2004 as part of a government-backed plan to suppress African ethnic groups.

He remains silent as the verdict was read and faces a possible life sentence; sentencing will be scheduled later, NPR has reported.

The Darfur conflict, lasting from 2003 to 2020, killed an estimated 300,000 people and displaced 2.5 million.

The Janjaweed later became the Rapid Support Forces, which continue to be accused of atrocities amid Sudan’s ongoing civil war, raising fears of another humanitarian catastrophe.