AU to discus Darfur report in Abuja

African Union's Peace and Security Council member states are scheduled to meet in Nigeria, Abuja on Thursday to discuss the Darfur panel report on justice and reconciliation.

The report seeks the establishment of an international hybrid court to prosecute war criminals.

According to AU Security Council sources, the meeting hosted by Nigeria will discuss the investigation report done by Darfur panel chaired by former South African president Thabo Mbeki, which proposes ways to ensure peace, justice and reconciliation.

Africa Union Security Council has 15 member states representing five regions. African leaders are expected in Abuja with AU Commission chief Jean Ping having left for Nigeria today.

Hybrid judges

The AU set up the panel to look into the possibility of striking a balance between trials, peace, non aversion of law and reconciliation in Darfur.

The Panel on Darfur concluded its fact-finding mission on the conflict by recommending foreign judges to work along with their Sudanese peers to prosecute war crimes suspects accused of masterminding atrocities in the region.

The report also calls for significant changes to Sudanese laws and the judiciary as a prerequisite for justice.

In recent days, Sudan's ruling party internally debated on the report and formed a committee to study how to react to the AU.

Sudanese president Omar Hassan Al Bashir remained at home but sent a strong Sudanese team to the ICC treaty signatory in Nigeria.

The Sudanese delegation is led by Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, Presidential Advisors, Dr Ghazi Salah Aldeen and Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail, Minister of Justice, Abdalbasit Sabdrat and North Darfur State Governor, Osman Kibir.