Sudan to witness more violence after ICC shelves Darfur probe — opposition

KHARTOUM — The International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to shelve an inquiry into war crimes in Sudan's Darfur region is likely to embolden hardliners in Khartoum and contribute to more violence, opposition and rebel leaders said on Monday.

The Hague-based court indicted Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir in 2009 for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in connection with the suppression of a revolt in Darfur. It said on Friday it would suspend the investigation, citing limited resources and deadlock at the UN Security Council.

Friday's decision prompted Bashir to claim victory over the court and declare a renewed push to end rebellions around Sudan.

"The decision will lead to a further deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan as the military confrontation escalates," Jibril Bilal of Darfur's Justice and Equality Movement said.

Darfur has been embroiled in conflict since mainly non-Arab tribes took up arms in 2003 against the Arab-led government in Khartoum, accusing it of discrimination.

Darfur rebels have since joined forces with groups in the southern provinces of Blue Nile and South Kordofan, where an insurgency is raging, mounted mostly by ex-civil war fighters left in Sudan after the south seceded in 2011.

Sadiq Youssef of the National Consensus Forces umbrella opposition group said the ICC decision was intended to publicly pressure the Security Council to act on Darfur.

But analysts doubt it will have an effect without concessions by veto-wielding permanent members China and Russia, who have largely opposed action against Bashir.