Judge Ibrahim Al-Doum of the Emergency Court of Geneina has said the court was established to address all crimes related to humanity.
He told Radio Tamazuj over the weekend that the court was created through a decree issued by State Governor Al-Tijani Altahir Karshoum, in July 2023.
“The court does not deal with cases that were pending before the war but rather focuses on new cases that occurred after the conflict started,” he said. “The judge clarified that the crimes brought before the court include; murder, theft, breach of trust, armed robbery, assault, vandalism, inflicting serious injuries, and fraud.”
“Others include criminal cases, alcohol consumption cases, traffic violations, cases related to child rights violations, and civil transactions,” Judge Al-Doum added.
The judge said the court also has the power to adjudicate over cases of sexual violations, rape, and harassment.
The Emergency Court judge further clarified that the court is composed of the Chief Justice and members; Azraq Sughayr Mohammed, Fahti Mohammed Alhaj, Khamees Mohammed Musa, and Ibrahim Alhabu Hamdan.
“We have the authority to adjudicate all cases stipulated in Sudanese laws,” the judge said.
He specified that the territorial jurisdiction of the court extends to the borders of West Darfur State with its eight localities, and due to the circumstances of war, the court has also dealt with cases from North and Central Darfur.
Al-Doum denied any resistance from any party to the court’s decisions, attributing it to the role of the governor in controlling the fugitives, as he assumes the role of the police, moving with the forces to ensure the appropriate security environment for the court to carry out its work.
He explained that the Rapid Support Forces are stationed around the court under the governor’s directives, adding that they have contributed to securing the court.
“The police force has played its full role in investigations. The court considers cases after they are referred to us by the police. Amidst the current exceptional circumstances, the court acts as both the prosecution and the police, although it is not the judge’s prerogative to consider any case before investigation,” he stated. “I call for the appointment of a prosecutor to carry out the investigative role. We exert our utmost effort to establish justice. This provides an opportunity for lawyers to appear in court.”
Regarding appeals, he indicated that they are keen to provide justice so that litigants do not resort to the appeals.
Al-Doum reassured litigants that once the judiciary resumes its normal functions, their files will be available and litigants can appeal.