Government appoints new special prosecutor for Darfur

The Minister of Justice Mohamed Bushara Dousa has issued a decree to appoint a special prosecutor for Darfur that will investigate all crimes in the area. Ahmed Abdel-Muttalib was selected as the prosecutor, tasked with investigating all alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur since February 2003. Dousa said that a special court to investigate the crimes committed in Darfur will soon be set up. The headquarters of the special prosecutor will be established in El Fasher, with a possibility for regional offices to be set up across the states of Darfur. IDPs not convinced Ahmed Atim, coordinator for internally displaced camps in North Darfur, told Radio Dabanga that this appointment was only to buy time and cover for the perpetrators of crimes committed in Darfur. He said the government wants to mislead global public opinion into thinking there is a political will for justice. Atim said if the government is serious about supporting justice, they will ensure the extradition of those senior officials to the International Criminal Court. Prosecutor must consider obstacles of emergency law and immunity Salih Mahmoud, a lawyer from Darfur based in Khartoum called the new appointments a positive move but said the government must take care if they wish to be taken seriously. Speaking to Radio Dabanga he said this appointment comes after three previous prosecutors were selected. The government must learn why the previous appointments failed if it is to see real results. Mahmoud said two obstacles to justice in Darfur are the emergency law in the area and the immunity of security and police authorities. These obstacles must be considered as the failure for justice and dealt with by the new prosecutor. He said displaced people don’t trust the new appointments as they have witnessed many with little results. They think the government is posturing to the international community to appear to have a plan in place. Government will establish fund for justice in Darfur Head of the Darfur Regional Authority Tijani Sissi met yesterday with the Minister of Justice Mohamed Bushara Dousa and state minister at the Presidency of the Doha Peace Agreement Amin Hassan Omar to discuss issues related to justice and reconciliation in Darfur. Sissi said that Dousa stressed his ministry will provide assistance to establish a framework for justice in Darfur. He also said the meeting dealt with issues such as pardoning convicts and detainees, and decisions on those matters will be issued in the next few days.Amin Hassan Omar said the government will establish a fund to support justice in Darfur and hopes the international community will back the initiative.