Haroun served as a senior security official under former President Omar al-Bashir and is among several former Sudanese officials accused of involvement in atrocities during the Darfur conflict.
Speaking to Channel Africa on Monday, Political Scientist and Conflict Resolution Analyst Dr David Matsanga questioned the credibility of the ICC case and called for accountability through Sudanese or African institutions.
Matsanga alleged that investigations involving Sudan had relied on flawed evidence and disputed the manner in which witnesses had been recruited. “The entire case of Sudan in the International Criminal Court was flawed,” Matsanga said.
Matsanga did not provide evidence during the interview to substantiate the allegations concerning witnesses.
Haroun’s reported detention has raised questions about whether Sudanese authorities could transfer Haroun to The Hague.
Matsanga suggested the arrest could be an attempt to satisfy international pressure by surrendering one former official while avoiding scrutiny of other military figures. “They are looking for somebody to pay the price,” Matsanga said.
Matsanga argued that Sudan possessed courts capable of hearing cases involving alleged atrocities without relying on the ICC.
Matsanga also called for scrutiny of commanders involved in the Darfur conflict and the current war, saying accountability should not be limited to Haroun.
The circumstances surrounding Haroun’s reported detention and any possible transfer to the ICC remain unclear.
Matsanga said victims of violence in Darfur required reparations, restitution and accountability, particularly for atrocities committed during the current conflict. “The victims need reparations, restitution and accountability,” Matsanga said.
Matsanga also called on African governments to strengthen continental justice institutions instead of relying primarily on the ICC.
Matsanga said the African Court remained underused because only a limited number of countries had accepted its full jurisdiction.
The ICC was created as a court of complementarity, intended to intervene when national authorities were unwilling or unable to genuinely investigate and prosecute serious international crimes.
Matsanga urged African countries dissatisfied with the ICC to use the withdrawal provisions available under the Rome Statute while strengthening domestic and continental courts.
–ChannelAfrica–
