SUDAN WATCH: ICC trial of Janjaweed Leader helps justice for Darfur

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: In April 2022, the first trial into atrocities committed in Sudan’s Darfur region began at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Several sessions of the trial at the ICC are scheduled to continue this month. I made the transcript of a powerful video here below.

Video by The New Humanitarian

Posted at YouTube on 08 February 2023

Title: ICC trial brings mixed feelings for Darfur Janjaweed victims

Description:

Survivors of Darfur’s conflict say they have experienced a mixture of painful memories and feelings of relief as the first trial into atrocities committed in the western region of Sudan continues proceedings at the Hague-based International Criminal Court. - The New Humanitarian.

Transcript:

PEACE MEANS JUSTICE FOR DARFUR

Voices: ICC trial brings mixed feelings for Darfur’s war survivors

In April 2022, the first trial into atrocities committed in Sudan’s Darfur region began at the International Criminal Court.

Witnesses have been testifying against Ali Kushayb. He is accused of atrocities committed while commanding the Janjaweed armed group in 2003 and 2004.

The Janjaweed was an Arab militia created by the government of Omar al-Bashir to crush a revolt by Darfur’s mostly non-Arab rebel groups.

Janjaweed victims are still living in displacement camps dotted across Darfur.

Darfuri journalist and rights monitor, Ahmed Gouja, spoke to some of them last year.

Amina Abdelrahman, Resident Kalma displacement camp:

“For me, as a woman, this is a triumph. Darfuri women are the major victims of the war. We lost parents, dearest children, and mothers. The mass rape was expected. People witnessed the Janjaweed raping their daughters and wives. The Ali Kushayb trial is a tremendous gain for all Darfuri women.”

Yaqoub Mohamed Abdalla, Leader of Kalma displacement camp:

“We are delighted for this progress toward justice. it feels good to find a court that rules on behalf of the vulnerable. It is a lesson for all those afraid of the law, but not afraid of God. That is why the ICC is a necessity”.

Hanan Hassan Khatir Abdelbakhit, Community leader displaced from Wadi Salih:

“We have mixed feelings. We are rejoicing in the news of Ali Kushaybs; trial. But we feel deep sorry recalling all the crimes that he committed against us. Genocide, mass rape, ethnic cleansing, looting of our possessions, destroying out villages, and all the offensive acts that I cannot describe”.

Prosecutors have accused Kushayb of being “a willing and knowing participant in crimes”. He claims he is the victim of mistaken identity.

Community leaders described to Gouja some of Kyshaby’s alleged crimes.

Ada Husseein Sharif, Community leader and displaced person:

“Janjaweed embarked on arresting the displaced people. They took them to the Deleig police station and forced them all to the ground. Ali Kushayb was stepping on the bodies of detainees. He killed one of our sons, Adam Abdelrahman. He was an agricultural worker”.

Though many Darfuris are relieved to see Kushayb on trial, they have called for al-Bashir to be handed over to the ICC too. They also called for an end to recent violence that has displaced hundreds of thousands of Darfuris.

Darfuri voice:

“The situation is not safe yet in Darfur. We still need the support of the international community. Darfur needs to be safeguarded immediately and before anything else. We demand food, education for children, and better health services”.

Darfuri voice:

“To achieve justice for Darfur, Omar al-Bashir must be turned over to the the ICC. So should all the names in the arrest warrants issued by the ICC.”

[Ends]

View the video at YouTube here: https://youtu.be/ZED3BVQBILU

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Thursday, May 04, 2023

ICC trial of Janjaweed Leader helps justice for Darfur

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