ICC delegation heading to Sudan to discuss case against al-Bashir

An International Criminal Court (ICC) delegation is heading to the Sudanese capital to discuss the arrest warrants currently in place in relation to the conflict in the western region of Darfur, including former President Omar al-Bashir. Al-Bashir, who was being held in jail in Khartoum after being removed by the military in April last year following months-long protests against his rule, is wanted by the ICC on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur, in a conflict that began in 2003 and killed an estimated 300,000 people. Led by prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, the delegation arriving on Saturday “will discuss cooperation between the International Criminal Court and Sudan regarding the accused, against whom the court has issued arrest warrants”, a statement from the office of Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said. The delegation would meet senior Sudanese officials during its stay in the country, which will last through October 21. A spokesman from the ICC prosecutor’s office confirmed to the AFP news agency that “Bensouda and a delegation from her office will be in Khartoum for the next few days to discuss ICC-Sudan cooperation”. A Sudanese government source told AFP Bensouda would “discuss the extradition” of al-Bashir and others to The Hague-based court. style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0; bottom: 0; right: 0; left: 0;">