- The government of Sudan has been bashed for its failure to comply with the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the execution of the arrest warrants, a violation of Resolution 1593 of the United Nations Security Council.
Luis Moreno, the ICC Prosecutor, who disclosed the country's defiance, urged the UN to send a strong and unanimous message to the Khartoum government.
Moreno scolded Sudan for dragging its feet to arrest and surrender two war crimes suspects - Ahmed Harun and Ali Kushayb - to the ICC.
“In Darfur in 2003 - 2004, we witnessed the first phase of the criminal plan coordinated by Ahmad Harun. Millions of people were forced out of their villages and into camps," Moreno said in a statement.
"In the second phase – happening right now in front of our eyes – Ahmad Harun is controlling the victims inside the camps, controlling their access to food, humanitarian aid and security; attacks against the civilians and the displaced in particular take multiple forms; women are raped; emerging local leaders are targeted; the displaced are surrounded by hostile forces; their land and homes are being occupied by new settlers. The rationale is the same as before: target civilians who could be rebel supporters.”
He wondered why the entire communities are being devastated and destroyed in full sight of the international community in the name of inter-tribal clashes.
“Harun has been maintained in a position of control over civilians in camps,” the Prosecutor said, adding, "as of 18 November, the official website of the Sudanese government announced the appointment of Ahmed Harun to the National Monitoring Mechanism Group overseeing the deployment of UNAMID. The government of the Sudan is granting more responsibilities to an individual indicted by the court, in particular responsibilities that will affect the security of peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel."
Believing that Harun might be a key actor in the Darfur crimes, but there are other hidden faces.
“I will investigate those who bear the greatest responsibility in present crimes, those who actively support him, those who instruct him. This will be my second investigation in Darfur. This will be my new case. “
“Harun must be removed from office, arrested and surrendered to the court. This will break the system. Until he is arrested and surrendered to the Court, crimes coordinated by Harun will affect delivery of humanitarian assistance, threaten peacekeepers and international personnel.” he said. “As long as Harun remains free in Khartoum, there will be no comprehensive solution in Darfur."
Moreno said the use of law to prevent atrocities is the only realistic and pragmatic solution for Darfur.
The Prosecutor also briefed the UN about his willingness to investigate attacks against the AU and UN peacekeepers. This will be his third investigation in Darfur.
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