Darfur rebel chief calls on ICC to investigate camp violence

Dr. Tijani Sese strongly condemned the events that occurred last week in Kalma and Hamidiya camps for displaced people. The camps witnessed fighting among the residents, allegedly between factions loyal to Tijani Sese’s rebel coalition and Abdel Wahid Al Nur’s faction, according to initial UN reports. At least ten were killed. Sese said that what happened is a crime that requires investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC). In an interview with Radio Dabanga, Sese appealed to displaced people to remain calm and to stop all forms of abuse against each other, which he said weakens the Darfur issue. Sese denied, however, that the Liberation and Justice Movement was involved in the events. Such an investigation could possibly fall within the jurisdiction claimed by the ICC Prosecutor. The ICC was tasked by the UN Security Council with investigating crimes in Darfur. Its investigations have led to arrest warrants against three Sudanese officials including the president. Two rebel commanders within Sese’s coalition are also facing the possibility of trial, while charges against another rebel commander were dropped.