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Sudan 'crimes charges' worry UN Sudan 'crimes charges' worry UN
(about 1 hour later)
UN officials fear reports of an imminent indictment against Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir could endanger the lives of peacekeepers in Darfur.UN officials fear reports of an imminent indictment against Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir could endanger the lives of peacekeepers in Darfur.
Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court are expected to present evidence against Mr Bashir on Monday.Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court are expected to present evidence against Mr Bashir on Monday.
The charges could include war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.The charges could include war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
President Bashir has said his country faces a "vicious campaign". He denies charges that his government was behind the violence in Darfur.President Bashir has said his country faces a "vicious campaign". He denies charges that his government was behind the violence in Darfur.
Over the last five years, more than two million people have fled their villages in Darfur, destroyed by pro-government Janjaweed militia.Over the last five years, more than two million people have fled their villages in Darfur, destroyed by pro-government Janjaweed militia.
The Arab Janjaweed have been accused of ethnic cleansing and genocide against black African civilians, after rebels took up arms in protest at alleged government discrimination in 2003.The Arab Janjaweed have been accused of ethnic cleansing and genocide against black African civilians, after rebels took up arms in protest at alleged government discrimination in 2003.
UN alarm 'Playing with fire'
ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo told the BBC he is to submit evidence to judges on Monday, which could lead to an arrest warrant being issued.ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo told the BBC he is to submit evidence to judges on Monday, which could lead to an arrest warrant being issued.
Sudan's ambassador at the UN says the prosecutor is irresponsible.
This is laudable in theory, but this would be an initiative fraught with risk for the people of Sudan Analyst Julie Flint Viewpoint: Intervention not the answerThis is laudable in theory, but this would be an initiative fraught with risk for the people of Sudan Analyst Julie Flint Viewpoint: Intervention not the answer
Sudan's ambassador at the UN says the prosecutor is irresponsible.
"Ocampo is playing with fire," said Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad, the US Washington Post newspaper reports.
"If the United Nations is serious about its engagement with Sudan, it should tell this man to suspend what he is doing with this so-called indictment. There will be grave repercussions."
The BBC's Laura Trevelyan at UN headquarters says there is considerable alarm about the political consequences of such a move.The BBC's Laura Trevelyan at UN headquarters says there is considerable alarm about the political consequences of such a move.
Sudan analyst Juliet Flint told the BBC that if Mr Bashir was indicted, it would be at an "inopportune moment".Sudan analyst Juliet Flint told the BBC that if Mr Bashir was indicted, it would be at an "inopportune moment".
She warned that Mr Bashir is unlikely to react "coolly and calmly" and could clamp down on aid workers and peacekeepers in Darfur.She warned that Mr Bashir is unlikely to react "coolly and calmly" and could clamp down on aid workers and peacekeepers in Darfur.
It is estimated that two-thirds of Darfur's surviving population rely on humanitarian assistance.It is estimated that two-thirds of Darfur's surviving population rely on humanitarian assistance.
On Tuesday, seven Darfur peacekeepers died and 22 others were injured, seven critically, in an ambush - one of the deadliest assaults on UN forces in recent years.On Tuesday, seven Darfur peacekeepers died and 22 others were injured, seven critically, in an ambush - one of the deadliest assaults on UN forces in recent years.
The UN says its peacekeepers fought for over two hours to repulse suspected Janjaweed fighters, who were armed with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades.The UN says its peacekeepers fought for over two hours to repulse suspected Janjaweed fighters, who were armed with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades.
The Sudanese government blamed rebel groups for the attack.The Sudanese government blamed rebel groups for the attack.
The UN estimates that some 300,000 people have died because of the Darfur conflict but Sudan's government says the scale of the violence has been exaggerated.The UN estimates that some 300,000 people have died because of the Darfur conflict but Sudan's government says the scale of the violence has been exaggerated.
The United Nations and African Union have a joint peacekeeping force in Darfur. But it has just 9,000 of the planned 26,000 troops and has been struggling to contain the violence.The United Nations and African Union have a joint peacekeeping force in Darfur. But it has just 9,000 of the planned 26,000 troops and has been struggling to contain the violence.
'Wounded animal'Wounded animal
Ms Flint said an indictment would be "laudable in theory, but this would be an initiative fraught with risk for the people of Sudan".Ms Flint said an indictment would be "laudable in theory, but this would be an initiative fraught with risk for the people of Sudan".
"There is no doubt that the war in Darfur was orchestrated at the highest level of government," she said."There is no doubt that the war in Darfur was orchestrated at the highest level of government," she said.
She said Mr Bashir was recently humiliated by Darfuri rebels who attacked a city across the river from the capital in May.She said Mr Bashir was recently humiliated by Darfuri rebels who attacked a city across the river from the capital in May.
"A wounded animal would strike back," she said."A wounded animal would strike back," she said.
The ICC accuses the entire Sudanese government of war crimes in Darfur, although the government denies organising the Janjaweed.The ICC accuses the entire Sudanese government of war crimes in Darfur, although the government denies organising the Janjaweed.
The ICC has already issued arrest warrants for a minister and a militia leader on 51 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.The ICC has already issued arrest warrants for a minister and a militia leader on 51 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
There is concern that the fragile Darfur peace process could be further weakened, along with the shaky peace in South Sudan, where a separate civil war ended in 2005.There is concern that the fragile Darfur peace process could be further weakened, along with the shaky peace in South Sudan, where a separate civil war ended in 2005.
There are also UN peacekeepers in South Sudan.There are also UN peacekeepers in South Sudan.
Sudan does not recognise the ICC and has refused to hand over a government minister and militia leader accused of war crimes last year.Sudan does not recognise the ICC and has refused to hand over a government minister and militia leader accused of war crimes last year.
Ali Kushayb, a leader of the Janjaweed militia, and Ahmad Harun, Sudan's current humanitarian affairs minister have both denied involvement in war crimes.Ali Kushayb, a leader of the Janjaweed militia, and Ahmad Harun, Sudan's current humanitarian affairs minister have both denied involvement in war crimes.
Are you affected by the issues in this story? What do you think of the UN's plans to issue an arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir. Send us your comments using the form below.Are you affected by the issues in this story? What do you think of the UN's plans to issue an arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir. Send us your comments using the form below.
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