IJCentral: International Justice Central

Since the International Criminal Court issued a warrant of arrest against Sudan’s president Omar Al-Bashir in connection with atrocities committed in the country, and the recent move by ICC in which the president is also likely to face genocide charges, serious concerns have been raised over the future of the country and especially at a time when a referendum on South secession from North is awaited. On one hand, the UN is opposed to the independence saying it could stir secessionist sentiments across Africa and reignite civil war in the country itself. The African Union implementation Panel for Sudan however prefers a hybrid court to handle the atrocities committed in Darfur. The hybrid court could inspire confidence among Sudanese people according to the panel, former South African president Thabo Mbeki, who heads the panel has so far met president Mwai Kibaki and his predecessor Moi over Sudan since Kenya played a key role in brokering a peace deal for the country in 2005. The implementation of the Sudan’s peace agreement has been slow, but the panel is seeking support from countries neighboring Sudan in the realization of its stability.