Darfur: Before the ICC, former Janjawid leader Ali Kushayb pleads "not guilty"
Audio 01:07
Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on April 4, 2022, during a confirmation hearing for the charges against him.
He is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Darfur conflict in 2003-04, in The Hague, May 24, 2021. AFP - -
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1 min
On the second day of his trial before the International Criminal Court, former Janjawid leader Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, delivered a short statement to the judges.
Prosecuted for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in 2003 and 2004 in Darfur, he pleaded "
not guilty
" at the opening of the case and said he was "
innocent
".
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With our correspondent in The Hague
,
Stéphanie Maupas
After the long declarations of the prosecutor at the opening of the trial.
After hearing tragic accounts of massacres, torture, rape and looting committed by Janjawid militiamen.
Abd Al Rahman, who denies any responsibility, tried to give the image of a man of peace.
First claiming his legitimacy, as the grandson of Caliph Abdallah Al Tai'isha, he addressed the military power in Khartoum, in place since the coup last October.
“
I ask them all to be at the service of the Sudanese people and to work for the security of the Sudanese people, to ensure their safety and to organize free and fair elections in 2023. May God help you, in the service of your country, for the interests of Sudan.
And we hope that Sudan will live in prosperity and security
,” he said.
The accused denies any role in the crimes.
Another argument of his defense before the Court: he affirms that his tribe, the Tai'isha, were not in conflict with their neighbors.
“
This Tai'isha tribe is not in conflict with any other tribes in Sudan, including the Fur, Masalit, Zaghawa and other tribes in Sudan.
It is a tribe of peace and security
,” he added.
The trial continues with the testimony of expert from Sudan, Alex de Waal.
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