This archive report was first published on 4 November 2019.
On a historic visit to Darfur, Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok met hundreds of victims of the conflict, who demanded swift justice and the transfer of war criminals to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Hamdok's one-day visit to the war-torn region was his first as prime minister, and he met victims in the town of Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur state. The conflict, which erupted in 2003, has left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced.
"We want justice! Send all criminals of Darfur to the ICC," chanted a crowd that met Hamdok as he visited camps in Al-Fashir, an AFP correspondent reported.
Hamdok assured the crowd that his government was working towards peace in Darfur, a region the size of Spain. He promised to work together with the victims to achieve their demands and ensure that normal life returns to the region.
The Darfur conflict flared when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against the then Arab-dominated government of ousted president Omar al-Bashir, accusing it of marginalising the region economically and politically.
Hamdok's visit comes as the Sudanese government is working towards peace in the region. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of about 300,000 people and the displacement of 2.5 million.
