USA Government: Accountability In Sudan and Kenya
We strongly support international efforts to bring those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in Darfur to justice.
An international court has called to account a third top Sudanese leader for actions taken by the government during the conflict in the Darfur region. The United States believes that there cannot be a lasting peace in Sudan without justice and accountability. We strongly support international efforts to bring those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in Darfur to justice.
On March 1, the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for the arrest of Sudan’s defense minister, Abdel Raheem Muhammed Hussein. The document lists 41 separate counts, charging that he is responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur. Specific allegations include his oversight of a government campaign of murder, rape, torture, destruction of property, pillaging and attacks against civilians.
Hussein is the latest of several Sudanese leaders accused of responsibility for brutal actions during the Darfur conflict, in which the United Nations estimates that as many as 300,000 people died and more than 2.5 million were displaced. Based in The Hague, the ICC has issued arrest warrants for two other Sudanese government officials, including Sudanese President Omar Hassan el-Bashir, for allegedly orchestrating these crimes in Darfur. The president and other government officials named oppose the proceedings.
The issuance of an arrest warrant for Hussein demonstrates the international community’s resolve to hold accountable those responsible for the atrocities committed in Darfur.
The United States continues to call on the government of Sudan and all other parties to the conflict to cooperate fully with the ICC, as required by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1593. It is especially important for the international community to show its support for accountability at a time of mounting violence in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
http://www.voanews.com/policy/editorials/africa/Accountability-In-Sudan–142086783.html
Accountability In Kenya
International Criminal Court has ruled that four leading political figures must answer charges related to the political and ethnic violence.
After a lengthy investigation, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has ruled that four leading political figures must answer charges related to the political and ethnic violence that swept Kenya following the country’s disputed 2007 presidential election.
The ICC confirmed charges against Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto, Francis Muthaura and Joshua arap Sang for their alleged roles related to the deadly violence that swept Kenya in December 2007, during which at least 1,100 people died. President Mwai Kibaki asked his countrymen to remain calm in the aftermath of the ICC’s decisions on confirmation of charges.
The United States continues to believe that accountability for the 2007-2008 post-election violence is critical to ensuring Kenya’s democracy, peace and long-term stability. Under the ICC process, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty and we make no judgment as to the guilt or innocence of those subject to the recent decisions.
In the spirit of Kenya’s new constitution, which embraces transparency, accountability and integrity, we urge the Kenyan government, the people of Kenya and the individuals involved to continue to cooperate fully with the ICC proceedings and to remain focused on their nation’s future, especially through implementation of the national reform agenda. The United States is committed to continuing to support Kenya’s ambitious reform process as it looks ahead to its first national elections under the new constitution.
http://www.voanews.com/policy/editorials/africa/Accountability-In-Kenya–138237539.html
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