Sudanese war crimes fugitive Ali Kushayb will appear before the International Criminal Court on June 15 following his surrender to authorities in the Central African Republic and subsequent transfer to The Hague on Tuesday.
Kushayb, believed to have been one of the top commanders of the Janjaweed militia, was wanted by the court to answer to several counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity in relation to the conflict in Darfur.
“…further practical information on this hearing will be communicated shortly,” the court said in a statement.
As a commander of the militia between August 2003 and March 2004, he allegedly implemented the counter-insurgency strategy of the Government of Sudan that also resulted in the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, Sudan.
He also allegedly personally participated in some attacks against civilians namely in four towns where the killing of civilians, rape, torture and other cruel treatments happened.
The ICC also made public a second warrant of arrest against Kushayb, albeit with redactions.
“The second arrest warrant was initially issued as secret on 16 January 2018. It adds three new charges of war crimes (murder) and crimes against humanity (murder and other inhumane acts) allegedly committed in Deleig and surrounding areas between on or about 5 to 7 March 2004.”.
Five other arrest warrants related to the conflict in Darfur remain outstanding, including those of former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir.
In February, Sudan’s government and rebel groups in Darfur agreed that all suspects wanted by the ICC should appear before the court.
The conflict in Darfur killed more than 200,000 people and displaced at least two million others, according to human rights groups and the United Nations.
