By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia– Former South African President Thabo Mbeki spoke at an African Union (“AU”) meeting today in regards to the human rights violations that have taken place in Sudan this decade.  An AU panel led by Mbeki produced a report focused on finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region. Mbeki’s speech contained the substance of the report’s findings.

The commission led by Mbeki was set up after a global arrest warrant was issued for Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir, alleging his complicity in war crimes in Darfur. Analyst predict that the report likely will recommend a local tribunal supported by the AU, Sudan, and potentially the Arab League, in order to deal with the abuses committed in Darfur.

Critics say the AU is using this commission to avoid the International Criminal Court (“ICC”) warrant for President Bashir’s arrest. Mbeki strongly denies this claim.  The AU has however refused to honor the warrant, and President Bashir has additionally rejected the charges against him. President Bashir has claimed that the claims are only an attempt by the ICC to further their goals of colonialism.

Since 2003 the United Nations estimates there have been over 300,000 deaths in the region, and over two million have been displaced.  In all 4.5 million have been displaced and over 2 million deaths have resulted from the 21 year civil war between Northern and Southern Sudan.  However since the enactment of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (“CPA”) which ended the civil war,  there have been gradual attempts to return those who had been displaced in Southern Sudan.

One UN official expressed that the key to returning the 4.5 million who had been displaced depended on the stability of the Sudanese government.  So far the UN official has proudly stated that about 350,000 refugees have been returned.  Despite this progress concerns are still growing surrounding the violence that still is taking place in the country, and the constant influx of refugees crossing over into Sudan from neighboring countries.

For more information please see:

BBC – Mbeki Delivers AU Darfur Report – 8 October 2009

All Africa – Sudan:Inter-Ethnic Violence in Southern Region Threatens Return of Displaced – UN

Reuters – Sudan Conflicts – 17 March 2009

UN News – Inter-Ethnic Violence in Southern Sudan Threatens Return of Displaced – 7 October 2009