A delegation from the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is visiting Sudan was received by the Sudanese Ministry of Justice in Port Sudan on Thursday to discuss cooperation around strengthening justice in Sudan.
Justice Minister Huwaida Ali Awad Al-Karim welcomed the ICC delegation and lauded the court’s commitment to monitoring judicial progress and the pursuit of justice in Sudan.
She affirmed her full cooperation with the delegation to fulfill the objectives of their visit, highlighting the Sudanese government’s dedication to meeting its obligations under international and regional agreements.
Additionally, the minister underscored the Ministry of Justice’s efforts in managing its affairs since the initiation of the process to quell the rebellion, despite the significant damage suffered by the ministry’s premises and assets, as well as the challenges in communicating with its staff.
In response, the delegation commended the cooperation of the Sudanese government, highlighting that this visit is not their first to Sudan. They also called for streamlining the visa issuance process for future visits.
The ICC delegation raised concerns about delays in responding to certain requests. The Sudanese Minister of Justice attributed these delays to disturbances caused by rebel activities in the country.
In 2021, under the leadership of Abdullah Hamdok, the Sudanese cabinet approved a bill to join the Rome Statute, the foundational framework of the International Criminal Court.
Sudan actively participated in all negotiations leading to the drafting of the Rome Statute and signed the statute in the 1990s. However, it withdrew due to international pressure during the conflict in the Darfur region of western Sudan.
In 2008, the ICC issued arrest warrants against Sudan’s then-president Omar al-Bashir and his interior minister, Ahmed Haroun. Forty-three African countries signed the Rome Statute, while 34 countries ratified it.