Panafrican News Agency

ICC Prosecutor signs new MOU ensuring greater cooperation with Khartoum

Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, Tuesday concluded a weeklong visit to Khartoum, his first visit to the Sudan, where he signed a new Memorandum of Understanding ensuring greater cooperation with Sudanese authorities.

In a statement he issued and received by PANA in Khartoum, the prosecutor said on Friday, 13 August, 2021, he concluded a week-long visit to Khartoum, Sudan, during which measures were taken to extradite persons sought for trial in The Hague.

It was Khan’s first visit to Sudan in his capacity as ICC Prosecutor.

The statement said Khan also held several productive meetings with officials of the Transitional Government of Sudan at the highest levels, and engaged with members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of civil society organizations.

The statement quoted the prosecutor as expressing his sincere appreciation to the authorities for facilitating his visit and for hosting him and his delegation, as well as for the goodwill and cooperation expressed and extended to his office.

It said Khan’s decision to travel to Sudan was motivated by various factors, including the nature of the crimes alleged, the rights of survivors, and the fact that this was the first situation referred to the ICC Prosecutor by the United Nations Security Council.

During his discussions with the authorities and other stakeholders, the prosecutor requested the government of Sudan to further deepen its cooperation with his office.

“In this regard, at the Prosecutor’s request, a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed that included all individuals against whom warrants of arrest have been issued by the ICC. 

"The Office will be looking to work closely with the Sudanese authorities and other partners in the implementation of this new MoU,” the statement explained.

 It added: “Transfer of any suspect is an important step towards achieving justice but should be preceded and accompanied by substantive and ever deepening cooperation by the Sudanese authorities.“ 

Khan said he had requested the authorities to provide immediate and full access to evidence pertinent to the office’s investigations in the situation in Darfur.

He urged swift and greater collaboration to finally bring justice to the people of Darfur.

“After almost 17 years since the referral of this situation, the Government of Sudan and the ICC owe to the victims of atrocity crimes in Darfur justice without further delay,” Khan emphasized.

-0-PANA MO/RA 17Aug2021