Photo : UN News/ICC
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : UN News/ICC
IN BRIEF
By Ashwin Dhanabalan, Angkuran Dey and Meghna Manoj
Sudan: Former militia leader denies committing war crimes at ICC trial
On 5 April, the former militia leader of Sudan, Ali Muhammad, who had been accused of leading thousands of pro-government fighters in Darfur into committing a series of humanitarian excesses, denied all allegations at the landmark trial in Hague. However, he has been accused of 31 war crimes and crimes against humanity. The pillage in the Darfur region had left around 300,00 people dead, and millions were displaced.
Burkina Faso: Ex-President Roch Kabore released from house arrest
On 7 April, the former president Kabore, who had been kept under house arrest since the country's military takeover, was released. The interim government has promised to take additional security measures towards guaranteeing his safety. Security measures come as tensions remain high over the verdict to hand out a life sentence for the former president. President Blaise Compaoré was unseated in the 2014 uprising. This came after the West African leaders had called for the leader's release and laid out an acceptable timeline for a return to democracy.
Mali: HRW opens investigation into the alleged massacre in Moura
On 5 April, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleged that the Malian forces and Russian mercenaries executed 300 civilians in an anti-jihadist operation. Local witnesses said hundreds of men were executed in small groups during the anti-jihadist operation on 23 March in the central town of Moura. Witnesses also claim that over 100 Russians were also involved in the operation. West Africa Director at HRW stated: “The Malian government is responsible for this atrocity, the worst in Mali in a decade, whether carried out by Malian forces or associated foreign soldiers.”