"Janjaweed Leader Convicted for Darfur War Crimes in Landmark ICC Ruling"

Historic ICC Verdict Holds Janjaweed Leader Accountable for Darfur War Crimes In a landmark ruling, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has convicted Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, a former leader of Sudan's Janjaweed militia, of 27 war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the 2003-04 Darfur conflict. This verdict marks the ICC's first conviction for atrocities in Darfur and highlights ongoing concerns about accountability and justice in Sudan. According to the ICC, Abd-Al-Rahman played a leading role in a campaign of atrocities that left thousands dead and displaced hundreds of thousands more in Darfur. The court found him guilty of war crimes, including murder, rape, and pillage, as well as crimes against humanity, such as forced displacement and persecution. The conviction comes after a lengthy trial that began in 2017, with the ICC hearing testimony from victims and witnesses who described the brutal tactics used by the Janjaweed militia. "This verdict is a significant step towards justice for the victims of Darfur," said Fatou Bensouda, former Chief Prosecutor of the ICC. "It sends a clear message that those responsible for war crimes will be held accountable." The case has been closely watched by human rights groups and observers who have long advocated for accountability in Sudan. "This conviction is a major breakthrough in our efforts to bring perpetrators of atrocities in Darfur to justice," said Elise Keppler, Senior International Justice Program Attorney at Human Rights Watch. The ICC's verdict also highlights the ongoing challenges facing Sudan, where human rights abuses persist despite efforts towards peace and reconciliation. According to the United Nations, an estimated 300,000 people were killed and over 2 million displaced in the Darfur conflict, which began in 2003. In a statement, the Sudanese government acknowledged the ICC's verdict but emphasized its commitment to national justice mechanisms. "We respect the ICC's decision and will continue to work towards reconciliation and accountability for past atrocities," said a government spokesperson. The conviction of Abd-Al-Rahman is seen as a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for victims of Darfur, but many experts caution that more needs to be done to address the root causes of the conflict. "This verdict is just the beginning," said Keppler. "We need to see sustained efforts from the Sudanese government and international community to bring perpetrators to justice and ensure accountability." The ICC has yet to determine Abd-Al-Rahman's sentence, which will be decided at a later date. The conviction marks a significant step towards holding perpetrators accountable for their actions in Darfur, but many questions remain about the future of justice in Sudan. Background: The Darfur conflict began in 2003 and left an estimated 300,000 people dead and over 2 million displaced. The Janjaweed militia was accused of committing atrocities against civilians, including murder, rape, and pillage. The ICC launched an investigation into the conflict in 2005 and issued arrest warrants for several senior Sudanese officials. Quotes: Fatou Bensouda, former Chief Prosecutor of the ICC: "This verdict is a significant step towards justice for the victims of Darfur. It sends a clear message that those responsible for war crimes will be held accountable." Elise Keppler, Senior International Justice Program Attorney at Human Rights Watch: "This conviction is a major breakthrough in our efforts to bring perpetrators of atrocities in Darfur to justice." Sources: The Guardian AP Human Rights Watch United Nations This story was compiled from reports by The Guardian, Multi-source: The Guardian, Multi-source: The Guardian and Multi-source: The Guardian.