iCC links janjaweed to sudanese government

June 04, 2008

        According to a Wall Street Journal Article published on June 4, 2008, the International Criminal Court has finally linked the Sudanese government to attacks on civilians in Darfur. In his report to the UN Security Council, the chief prosecutor of the ICC claimed to have uncovered evidence of “high officials” in the Sudanese government being directly linked to the janjaweed militia.

       It has been presumed for awhile that the Sudanese government was providing resources to the janjaweed militia as well as participating in joint attacks on Sudanese sedentary tribes, though the government has continually denied this publicly. While the report does not identify any officials or give evidence of specific crimes, the fact that this is the first time the ICC linked the janjaweed to the whole state apparatus of Sudan signifies a step forward. Of course, all accusations were denied by John Ukec Lueth Ukec, Sudan’s ambassador to the United States, as he claimed that Sudan’s government has merely been using its forces to provide security.

       Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy has believed for quite some time that there was a strong link between the Sudanese government and the militia attacks on civilians in Sudan and is overjoyed at this definitive statement made by the ICC. Damanga has given report of suspected genocide leaders to the ICC in the past (click here for press release) and has reason to believe that the number of officials in need of persecution is greater even than the UN estimate (50-52). We feel that this move by the ICC will lead to a greater worldwide recognition of the depth to which the genocide in Sudan penetrates the Sudanese community. We hope that the international recognition sure to be caused by this new development will be the first step in moving past talk and into an overwhelming, international call for action. Damanga encourages all countries to stand behind the ICC as there is still much more that needs to be done in promoting justice.