Sudan launches investigation into Darfur crimes committed during al-Bashir era

Sudan has opened an investigation into crimes committed during Omar al-Bashir’s era, in the region of Darfur, the state prosecutor said.

“We have launched an investigation into the crimes committed in Darfur from 2003,” prosecutor Tagelsir al-Heber said on his arrival in Khartoum on Sunday.

The move aims at ending long-standing impunity in Sudan and bringing perpetrators to justice.

When al-Bashir seized power in 1989, Sudan was in a 21-year civil war between north and south. His government signed a deal to end this conflict in 2005, however, at that moment, a new one was breaking out in the region of western Darfur.

Former Sudanese president, Omar al-Bashir. PHOTO/Reuters

The conflict between pro-government forces and ethnic minority rebels left around 300,000 people dead and 2.5 million displaced, according to the United Nations.

al-Bashir has been accused for organizing war crimes and crimes against humanity and genocide, and issued an international arrest warrant in 2009 and 2010, that led to an international travel ban.

The ousted Sudanese President is also investigated for his involvement in the 1989 coup that brought him to power.

After protest movements ousted al-Bashir, the new transition government has pledged to restore peace in conflict-hit regions.