Sudanese officials have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Criminal Court (ICC), in The Hague in relation to the trial of Ali Muhammad Ali Abdelrahman (also known as Ali Kushayb).
Kushayb – a former Janjaweed leader is being held in the Hague for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region.
He was a member of the Popular Defence Forces, as well as a commander of the government-backed militia in Darfur, from August 2003 until March 2004.
Diplomats from across the world hailed Sudan government for reaching the accord with ICC.
Also among those facing charges of committing genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes are ousted President Omar al-Bashir, the former Minister of Defence Abdel Rahim Mohamed Hussein and the former Minister of State for the Interior Ahmed Haroun.
The ICC announced on 9 June 2020, that Ali Kushayb was being held in custody after he willingly surrendered himself in the Central African Republic. He escaped Darfur after the fall of the Bashir regime.
Public Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on social media lauded the initiative, saying such timely and concrete cooperation is crucial for the pursuance of justice.