Searching for Peace and Justice in Sudan: The Role of the International Criminal Court

Despite several attempts at a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Darfur, the peace process has stalled. In July, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC), submitted an application for an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omar Hassan Al-Bashir, accusing him of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. If the indictment is issued, some critics warn that it will have a detrimental impact on prospects for peace in Darfur. Proponents argue that issuing the indictment would give the international community increased leverage over the Sudanese government. At the heart of this issue is the struggle to balance the search for justice for those atrocities already committed with the search for peace and reconciliation to prevent those atrocities that have yet to occur.

On September 26, the Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement will host a discussion of the effect of the possible indictment on peace and justice, and potential impact on humanitarian and peacekeeping operations in Darfur and on the ICC itself. After the program, panelists will take audience questions.