Ahmad Harun and Ali Kushayb

Sudanese government official Ahmad Harun (L) and Janjaweed rebel Ali Kushayb have been wanted by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur since 2007. © ICC
Ahmad Harun, a current Sudanese governor and former minister, and Ali Kushayb, alleged leader of the government-aligned Janjaweed militia, are wanted by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, Sudan.
Country
Case status: 
Pre-trial
Topics: 
Victims participationSexual and gender based crimesWar crimesCrimes against humanityArrest warrant
Regions: 
Africa
Ahmad Harun, currently governor of Sudan's North Kordofan region, is charged by the ICC with crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur during his time as minister of interior in charge of the Sudanese military forces from 2003-5. Ali Kushayb is meanwhile charged with with crimes against humanity and war crimes as the alleged commander of the Janjaweed militia, which allegedly implemented the Sudanese government´s counter-insurgency strategy in Darfur from 2003-04. ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I issued arrest warrants for Kushyab and Harun on 27 April 2007.
Background: 

Attacks against civilians in Darfur 

The ICC prosecutor alleges that the Sudanese government devised a campaign against the Justice and Equality Movement, the Sudan Liberation Movement and other rebel groups in Darfur. Government forces, with assistance from the Janjaweed militia, allegedly attacked the towns of Kodom, Bindisi, and Arawala in Darfur, Sudan in 2003-04 murdering, raping, persecuting and imprisoning civilians.

Charges: 

Government official charged 

The ICC prosecutor alleges that Harun, in his capacity as minister of the interior in charge of Sudanese security forces, knew of and encouraged crimes being committed against the civilian population in Darfur. He also allegedly coordinated, recruited and funded the Janjaweed militia for the common plan. The charges consist of: 20 counts of crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, torture, and deprivation of liberty; and 22 counts of war crimes, including attacking a civilian population, rape, and destruction of property.  

Janjaweed militia leader charged 

The ICC prosecutor alleges that Kushyab, as the suspected leader of the Janjaweed militia, commanded thousands of Janjaweed militia to implement the government´s Darfur counter-insurgency strategy, which the allegations suggest Kushyab participated in personally. Kushyab allegedly also mediated between the Sudanese government and Janjaweed leaders, enlisted fighters, and funded and provided food to the Janjaweed militia under his command. The charges consist of: 22 counts of crimes against humanity, including murder and persecution, and 28 counts of war crimes, including intentionally attacking a civilian population, rape, and destruction of property.

Challenges: 

Cooperation challenges  

In May 2010, PTC I informed the UN Security Council about the lack of cooperation from Sudan in relation to the case. The suspects remain at large, with Harun currently serving as governor of North Kordofan.

Victims: 

Six victims were authorized to participate in the case.

Related
Country

Sudan

Although Sudan is not a party to the Rome Statute, Darfur fell under ICC jurisdiction in March 2005 after the UN Security Council referred the situation to the ICC prosecutor. The investigation has led to five ICC cases, including against Omar al-Bashir
Africa
Country

Sudán

Although Sudan is not a party to the Rome Statute, Darfur fell under ICC jurisdiction in March 2005 after the UN Security Council referred the situation to the ICC prosecutor. The investigation has led to five ICC cases and heightened tensions.
África