Sudan minister criticized for slowness of Darfur massacre inquiry

The Minister of Justice faces criticism for the slow pace of the inquiry into the Tabra massacre, which occurred on 2 September 2010.

The Minister of Justice faces criticism for the slow pace of the inquiry into the Tabra massacre, which occurred on 2 September 2010. The displaced people who came from the Tabra to Tawila criticized statements made by the Minister of Justice. The minister, Mohamed Bushara Dosa, had pledged to ensure prosecution of the suspects in the Tabra massacre case.

Nearly a month after the massacre, the IDPs said that the Minister of Justice does not have power and authority to arrest the perpetrators or to bring them to trial. They said that if the minister were serious he would arrest Ahmed Harun and Ali Kushayb – government figures who are wanted by the International Criminal Court on warrants of arrest for crimes against humanity.

The Tabra massacre occurred during the afternoon shopping at Tabra market in an upland part of central Darfur on 2 September. The gunmen who entered the market ordered men to lie down and then shot them in the head at short range, according to some witness statements. At least 50 died on that day.

Ismail Kitir, a lawyer based in North Darfur, likewise criticized the slow pace of the government to act and to investigate the Tabra massacre. He said if the government is serious about achieving justice, the process needs to start from Khartoum because the militias that undermine the security in the region, such as the border guards, receive orders directly from Khartoum and are supported with supplies from the government and also from the three Darfur states. They cannot control these militias or restrain them, said the lawyer.