The prosecutor at the International Criminal Court has asked judges for arrest warrants to be issued for rebel commanders in Sudan's Darfur region.
The prosecutor at the International Criminal Court has asked judges for arrest warrants to be issued for rebel commanders in Sudan's Darfur region.
Luis Moreno-Ocampo alleges they killed 12 African Union peacekeepers in an assault on their base last year.
Luis Moreno-Ocampo alleges they killed 12 African Union peacekeepers in an assault on their base last year.
In July, Mr Moreno-Ocampo asked for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to be indicted on war crimes charges in Darfur - which he strongly denies.
In July, Mr Moreno-Ocampo asked for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to be indicted on war crimes charges in Darfur - which he strongly denies.
Some fear that if this indictment proceeds it could derail peace efforts.
Some fear that if this indictment proceeds it could derail peace efforts.
Last week, Mr Bashir announced an immediate ceasefire in the Darfur and promised to begin disarming militias and restrict the use of weapons among armed groups.
Last week, Mr Bashir announced an immediate ceasefire in the Darfur and promised to begin disarming militias and restrict the use of weapons among armed groups.
I will not let such attacks go unpunished ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo
I will not let such attacks go unpunished ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo
But on Thursday, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said he had received "troubling reports" of aerial bombings near Kutum in North Darfur, and fighting in the area of Tine, in West Darfur.
But on Thursday, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said he had received "troubling reports" of aerial bombings near Kutum in North Darfur, and fighting in the area of Tine, in West Darfur.
The Sudanese government has denied rebel claims it bombed their territory.
The Sudanese government has denied rebel claims it bombed their territory.
The UN estimates that up to 2.7 million people have been forced from their homes in Darfur and some 300,000 have died during five-and-a-half years of conflict.
The UN estimates that up to 2.7 million people have been forced from their homes in Darfur and some 300,000 have died during five-and-a-half years of conflict.
Lobbying
Lobbying
"There are reasonable grounds to believe that these rebel commanders bear criminal responsibility... for murder, intentionally directing attacks against personnel and objects involved in a peacekeeping mission and pillaging," Mr Moreno-Ocampo said after presenting his case to the ICC judges at The Hague, AFP news agency reports.
"There are reasonable grounds to believe that these rebel commanders bear criminal responsibility... for murder, intentionally directing attacks against personnel and objects involved in a peacekeeping mission and pillaging," Mr Moreno-Ocampo said after presenting his case to the ICC judges at The Hague, AFP news agency reports.
"I will not let such attacks go unpunished," he said.
"I will not let such attacks go unpunished," he said.
The ICC has already issued two arrest warrants - in 2007 - for a Sudanese minister and pro-government militia leader for alleged war crimes in Darfur.
The ICC has already issued two arrest warrants - in 2007 - for a Sudanese minister and pro-government militia leader for alleged war crimes in Darfur.
Sudan has refused to co-operate with the ICC case and insists on conducting its own investigations.
Sudan has refused to co-operate with the ICC case and insists on conducting its own investigations.
Militia leader Ali Mohamed Ali Abdel-Rahman - known as Ali Kushayb - was taken into custody by Sudanese authorities this year.
Militia leader Ali Mohamed Ali Abdel-Rahman - known as Ali Kushayb - was taken into custody by Sudanese authorities this year.
Mr Moreno-Ocampo has said there are grounds to believe Sudan's president bears criminal responsibility on 10 counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Mr Moreno-Ocampo has said there are grounds to believe Sudan's president bears criminal responsibility on 10 counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Sudan's government has always denied charges that it armed the Janjaweed militias accused of widespread atrocities against civilians in Darfur.
Sudan's government has always denied charges that it armed the Janjaweed militias accused of widespread atrocities against civilians in Darfur.
It is lobbying hard for the UN Security Council to delay an ICC investigation into whether President Bashir should be charged.
It is lobbying hard for the UN Security Council to delay an ICC investigation into whether President Bashir should be charged.
What do you think of the ICC move? Do you think Sudan will co-operate this time? What effect might this have on the peace process in Darfur? Send us your comments using the form below:
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
