Sudan’s NCP says ICC prosecutor seeks to undermine Darfur peace

June 10, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government denounced statements by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in his semi-annual briefing to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) this week on Darfur.

Kamal Obeid, the government’s spokesperson, was quoted by the Sudanese Media Center (SMC) as saying that Ocampo’s statements always come at the wrong time sending negative signals that hamper the peace process in Darfur.

He added that if the international community wants justice in Darfur it should not listen to the ICC prosecutor.

On Wednesday Ocampo said that crimes in Sudan’s western region “continue unabated”.

“These millions of victims displaced are still subjected today to rapes, terror and conditions of life aimed at the destruction of their communities, constituting genocide,” Ocampo said.

He also revealed that a fourth case on Darfur may be forthcoming later this year.

The ICC has so far charged president Omer Hassan al-Bashir, current governor of South Kordofan Ahmed Haroun and militia leader Ahmed Kushayb from the government side with war crimes in Darfur.

Bashir is the only one of the three who has an extra charge of genocide on his list of counts.

Sudan refuses to recognize the jurisdiction of the court despite a UNSC referral under Chapter VII six years ago.

“President al-Bashir has learned how to continue to commit crimes challenging the authority of the UN Security Council,” the prosecutor said.

“He did not stop the commission of the genocide against the displaced, but he is blocking the dissemination of information about their fate.”

Obeid said that Sudan is not surprised by Ocampo’s assertions because it is convinced that when the country is closer to peace in Darfur he puts obstacles in coordination with Western countries.

He referred to the framework document adopted by different players in Darfur including rebels and civil society this month in Doha.

(ST)