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Kushayb's Surrender Lifts Hopes ICC Could Try Others Wanted for Darfur Crimes

Naba Mohiedeen

   KHARTOUM - Thesurrender of ex-warlordAliKushaybto the International
   Criminal Courthas raised hope that others wanted for crimes
   inSudan'sDarfurregioncould be turned over to the ICC, including
   formerSudanesepresident Omar al-Bashir. Sudanese officials in February
   said that former officials, including Bashir, would face trialatthe
   ICC.

   AliKushaybis in thecustody of the International Criminal Court (ICC)
   after surrendering to authorities in the Central African Republic on
   Tuesday.

   Kushaybwas a commander ofa militia, thePopular Defense Forces--also
   known as the Janjaweed--thatattackedtowns and villagesin Darfur as
   thegovernmentof then- president Omar al-Bashirtried to crusha
   rebellionthat began in 2003.

   The ex-warlord isnowfacing charges of war crimes and crimes against
   humanity,includingcountsof murder, torture, pillaging and rape.

   Kushayb'ssurrender has raised hope that others wanted for crimes in
   Darfur could be turned over to the International Criminal Court.

   Samia al-Hashamiwas a defense lawyer for protesters arrested during
   demonstrations against former president Bashir.

   She saysKushayb'sarrestputs pressure onthe current Sudanese government.

   Al-Hashmi says the transitional government earlier stated that it
   doesn't mind forming a hybrid court to sue the accused people of war
   crimes in Darfur. But since the statement was issued, no serious steps
   or procedures were taken. The arrest of one of the accused people and
   the delivery of him to ICC hands in the Hague shall put an end to the
   lack of progress on this case.

   Kushaybis one ofsixmenwantedby the ICCfor crimes in Darfur.The list of
   suspects includes Bashir,who was ousted by the military last year after
   months ofprotests againsthis 30-year iron-fisted rule.

   The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Bashir in 2008, accusing him ofwar
   crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. ASudanesecourt sentenced
   himtotwo years in detention for corruption last December.

   Thereare reports in the Sudanese media thatKushaybmay be used as a
   witness against other war crimes suspects. Political analyst Ahmed
   Abdelghani thinksthatwouldcause trouble for the transitionalgovernment.

   Abdelghani says ifKushaybisused as a witness for the state regarding
   war crimes in Darfur, it will lead to political
   complications,especially that some military institutions might be
   involved in the conflict,withKushayband other militias in committing
   war crimes and genocides in Darfur region. Thatstep willdefinitely
   addconfusion to the Sudanese political scene.

   The Darfur conflict killed more than 300,000 people and has left two
   million internally displaced.

   In a statement, ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda
   saidKushayb'ssurrender is a milestonein the court's dealings with the
   Darfur situation.

   She called on Sudanese authorities to "ensure tangible justice" for the
   victims in Darfur withoutdelay, andsaid ending impunity for atrocities
   is essential to achieving durable peace and security in Darfur.

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