The Sudanese military attacked the Kalma camp for displaced persons in South Darfur this week, gunning down civilians armed (according to the UN) mostly with “sticks, knives and spears.” The attack left more than 30 people dead. The UN denounced the attack as “excessive, disproportionate force.” But there’s another word for it – criminal.
Which makes it all the more unbelievable that a number of governments are considering UN Security Council action to suspend the International Criminal Court’s Darfur investigation, on the ground that accusing the Sudanese president of crimes impedes progress toward peace. What progress? What peace?
Sources tell us that some members of the Security Council seem eager to cut a deal and have suggested some terms to Khartoum. I hope before doing anything further, they will go to Kalma and ask the relatives of those murdered this week what they think of putting justice on hold.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Save Darfur Coalition.
