Ahmed Haroun's Cry of Innocence: An Attempt to Escape ICC Charges

December 5, 2008

The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy has been following the commentary of Sudan's Humanitarian Affairs Minister Ahmed Haroun concerning his ICC indictment for his crimes against humanity in Darfur. Haroun has claimed that rebel groups are responsible for the atrocities in Darfur and that he is innocent of all proposed charges concerning Darfur, "has a clear conscience and no regrets" in regards to his actions, and that his ICC indictment is just a Western attempt to recolonize Africa. Even though Haroun has made these claims, outside independent groups and individuals have documented and witnessed his execution of war crimes against the people of Darfur. It is important to note that Haroun's claim that rebel groups are responsible for the genocide lacks legitimacy as the rebel groups themselves have neither military resources or even motive to attack their own people. Under Haroun's direction, the basic rights of the people of Darfur have been violated, women and children have been raped, millions have been displaced, and hundreds of thousands have been killed.

Since ICC Prosecutor Moreno-Ocampa indicted Haroun, as well as Sudanese official Ali Kushayb and Sudanese President Al-Bashir, the Sudanese government has ignored these indictments and will not recognize ICC authority. Instead, they have been lobbying the UN Security Council to suspend these charges and stop Moreno-Ocampo from arresting them in the next upcoming months.

Damanga recognizes that Haroun is trying to escape ICC charges for his crimes against humanity within the Darfur region, and therefore, strongly urges the UN,  and the international community,to refrain from enacting legislation or action that would cover-up these crimes. The global community needs to seek peace for the people of Darfur by holding the Sudanese government officials, like Haroun, accountable for the 2.7 million displaced Darfurians and the 300,000 that have been killed in the conflict thus far.