Former Janjaweed leader Ali Mohammed Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, known as Ali Kushayb, is accused by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in 2003 and 2004 in Darfur, in eastern Sudan. This is the first trial targeting a Sudanese official. Over three days, the prosecutor, victims’ representatives and the defense will deliver their final conclusions.
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These pleadings will conclude almost three years of trial. Exactly 78 days of hearing during which Ali Mohammed Ali Abd-Al-Rahman presented himself as a simple pharmacist from Garsila, who reluctantly fell into war and as a man of peace.
But for the prosecutor, it was a janjaweed leader who allied with the government in Khartoum to bring down the Darfur rebellion. A counter-insurgency with a very heavy toll of 300,000 deaths, according to the United Nations and 230,000 refugees, particularly in neighboring Chad.
According to the prosecutor’s accusations, Ali Kushay – a nickname that the accused refutes – would have “ enlisted, armed, financed and supplied the Janjaweed under his command “. He would also have personally participated in certain attacks against civilians “. To try to prove it, the prosecutor called 56 witnesses. Many testified behind closed doors or protected by a pseudonym. 18 witnesses testified for the defense.
At the end of these last three days of hearing, the judges will retire to deliberate. Three other former officials of the regime of ex-president Omar al-Bashir, including himself, are also indicted, but on the run.
Also readICC: defense arguments begin in the trial of former Janjawid leader Ali Kushayb