ICC considers new war crimes charges on Darfur

The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) second prosecutor, Mrs. Fatou Bensouda, submitted a statement to the UN Security Council announcing she may include new war crimes charges against Sudanese officials over the conflict in Darfur, on Thursday, 13 December. These crimes, according to the prosecutor are: “thwarting delivery of humanitarian aid, attacks on UNAMID peacekeepers as well as bombardments and other direct attacks on civilian populations”. She stated these are similar crimes to those already considered by the Judges of the ICC, which “may constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide”. Bensouda also declared that promises of further peace initiatives by the Government of Sudan (GoS) are undermined by its actions on the ground. These actions, she continued, “show an ongoing commitment to crimes against civilians as a solution to the Government’s problems in Darfur”. Bensouda said the UN Security Council should be even more concerned as crimes in Darfur, including those already indicted by the Court, continue to be committed. After which she asked “how many more civilians must be killed, injured and displaced for this Council to be spurred into doing its part?” “Military solution” The prosecutor claimed that “the failure of the [GoS] to implement the five arrest warrants seems symbolic of its ongoing commitment to a military solution in Darfur, which has translated into a strategy aimed at attacking civilian populations over the last ten years”. “Victims of Darfur crimes can hardly wait for the day that fragmentation and indecision will be replaced by decisive, concrete and tangible actions they expect from this Council”, she added. Bensouda affirmed that after eight years of reported efforts on the part of the Government of Sudan authorities, it should be clear to the Council that the GoS is neither prepared to hand over the suspects nor to prosecute them for their crimes. Photo: Mrs. Fatou Bensouda (UN multimedia)