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ICC seeks rebel arrests in Darfur ICC seeks rebel arrests in Darfur
(about 4 hours later)
The prosecutor at the International Criminal Court has asked judges for arrest warrants to be issued for rebel commanders in Sudan's Darfur region. The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has asked judges for arrest warrants to be issued for three rebel commanders in Sudan's Darfur region.
Luis Moreno-Ocampo alleges they killed 12 African Union peacekeepers in an assault on their base last year. Luis Moreno-Ocampo, who alleges they killed 12 African Union peacekeepers, said the men would not be named.
In July, Mr Moreno-Ocampo asked for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to be indicted on war crimes charges in Darfur - which he strongly denies. "It's an opportunity for them to show they respect justice to come to The Hague voluntarily," he told the BBC.
Some fear that if this indictment proceeds it could derail peace efforts. In July, Mr Moreno-Ocampo asked for Sudan's president to be indicted on war crimes charges, which he denies.
Last week, Mr Bashir announced an immediate ceasefire in the Darfur and promised to begin disarming militias and restrict the use of weapons among armed groups. Some fear that if the president's indictment proceeds it could derail peace efforts.
I will not let such attacks go unpunished ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo Last week, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir announced an immediate ceasefire in the Darfur and promised to begin disarming militias and restrict the use of weapons among armed groups.
No-one who's attacked peacekeepers will be immune ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo ICC fends off Darfur challenge
But on Thursday, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said he had received "troubling reports" of aerial bombings near Kutum in North Darfur, and fighting in the area of Tine, in West Darfur.But on Thursday, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said he had received "troubling reports" of aerial bombings near Kutum in North Darfur, and fighting in the area of Tine, in West Darfur.
The Sudanese government has denied rebel claims it bombed their territory.The Sudanese government has denied rebel claims it bombed their territory.
The UN estimates that up to 2.7 million people have been forced from their homes in Darfur and some 300,000 have died during five-and-a-half years of conflict.The UN estimates that up to 2.7 million people have been forced from their homes in Darfur and some 300,000 have died during five-and-a-half years of conflict.
LobbyingLobbying
"There are reasonable grounds to believe that these rebel commanders bear criminal responsibility... for murder, intentionally directing attacks against personnel and objects involved in a peacekeeping mission and pillaging," Mr Moreno-Ocampo said after presenting his case to the ICC judges at The Hague, AFP news agency reports. Mr Moreno-Ocampo said that in September 2007 more than 1,000 rebels attacked the AU peacekeepers' base in the town of Haskanita, in southern Darfur.
"I will not let such attacks go unpunished," he said. He accused them of committing war crimes including murder, pillaging and deliberately attacking the peacekeepers.
The ICC has already issued two arrest warrants - in 2007 - for a Sudanese minister and pro-government militia leader for alleged war crimes in Darfur. "We have solid evidence showing exactly who commanded, how they commanded and how the attack was perpetrated," Mr Moreno-Ocampo told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.
"No-one who's attacked peacekeepers will be immune," he said.
He said the names were being withheld "to ensure the appearance of these individuals in front of the court".
The ICC has already issued two arrest warrants - in 2007 - for Sudanese Humanitarian Affairs Minister Ahmed Haroun and pro-government militia leader Ali Mohamed Ali Abdel-Rahman - known as Ali Kushayb - for alleged war crimes in Darfur.
Sudan has refused to co-operate with the ICC case and insists on conducting its own investigations.Sudan has refused to co-operate with the ICC case and insists on conducting its own investigations.
Militia leader Ali Mohamed Ali Abdel-Rahman - known as Ali Kushayb - was taken into custody by Sudanese authorities this year. Ali Kushayb was taken into custody by Sudanese authorities this year.
Mr Moreno-Ocampo has said there are grounds to believe Sudan's president bears criminal responsibility on 10 counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Mr Moreno-Ocampo said that even though Mr Haroun had not yet been arrested, it was a question of time.
"The destiny of Haroun is to face justice - in two months or two years."
The ICC prosecutor has said there are grounds to believe Sudan's president bears criminal responsibility on 10 counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Sudan's government has always denied charges that it armed the Janjaweed militias accused of widespread atrocities against civilians in Darfur.Sudan's government has always denied charges that it armed the Janjaweed militias accused of widespread atrocities against civilians in Darfur.
It is lobbying hard for the UN Security Council to delay an ICC investigation into whether President Bashir should be charged.It is lobbying hard for the UN Security Council to delay an ICC investigation into whether President Bashir should be charged.
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What do you think of the ICC move? Do you think Sudan will co-operate this time? What effect might this have on the peace process in Darfur? Send us your comments using the form below:What do you think of the ICC move? Do you think Sudan will co-operate this time? What effect might this have on the peace process in Darfur? Send us your comments using the form below:
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