ICC Prosecutor Wants Sudan Trials

On Tuesday, Khan addressed the UN Security Council and said in a virtual briefing from the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, that his just - concluded visit to Darfur reinforced his resolve to press for a greater focus and more resources to arrest and bring to trial alleged ringleaders of the violence.

"What we have arranged on this mission, inshallah, is a commitment, firstly with direct access to some of the senior members, including the minister of justice as a focal point, a commitment to monthly meetings of Interdepartmental task force on Sudan-side in which we can try to follow up on those requests," Khan said.

The prosecutor stressed the necessity of bringing to trial the leadership of Sudan that was responsible for so many alleged criminal acts.

"We need to really have concrete cooperation and assistance in a much more meaningful manner relating to the case against former president Omar al-Bashir, Mr. Hussein (Abdel-Rahim Muhammad Hussein) and Mr. Haroun (Ahmed Haroun).

Khan added "We need [a] strong case, I can't prosecute weak cases, it is not appropriate, for that I need cooperation from Sudan, I need cooperation from the Security Council and from other member states of the United Nations, [as well as] the state parties of the ICC. And I think if we feel the sense of responsibility collectively, we can translate these words into action but that's why I end as I started, let's try to collectively share the burden."

In April, the first ICC trial to deal with atrocities by Sudanese government-backed forces in Darfur began in The Hague, Netherlands.

The defendant, Janjaweed leader Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, pleaded innocent to all 31 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Khan said the prosecution's case is expected to conclude early next year.