Rebel commander Bahr Idriss Abu Garda’s voluntary arrival at the International Criminal Court yesterday was a step toward justice and accountability for the gravest crimes in Darfur.
The brutal September 2007 attack on an African Union peacekeeping base in Haskanita — allegedly carried out by splinter forces of the Justice and Equality Movement under Abu Garda’s command in coordination with another armed group — remains the deadliest attack on peacekeepers in Darfur’s history. The assault was followed by widespread destruction and looting of the peacekeepers’ base. Such attacks not only violate international law, but threaten the lives of Darfuri civilians whom peacekeepers are mandated to protect and create an environment of insecurity that leaves civilians and the humanitarian aid workers at near constant risk of violence.
While yesterday was an important first step toward accountability for war crimes committed in Haskanita, the international community must continue to press all parties in Sudan to comply with their obligations to cooperate with the ICC. All parties responsible for crimes against civilians, humanitarian workers and peacekeepers in Darfur must be held accountable. Failing to combat the prevailing climate of impunity in Darfur will only embolden perpetrators, deny Darfuri victims of the justice they so broadly seek, and prolong the conflict.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Save Darfur Coalition.
