Sudan: Africa backs Darfur crimes court

African leaders have agreed to establish a new court to bring justice to the Sudanese region of Darfur. The court would consist of Sudanese and foreign judges appointed by the African Union in consultation with the Khartoum government. Human Rights Watch told BBC that the new court should not replace the International Criminal Court. The ICC is seeking to prosecute Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir for committing war crimes in Darfur, which he denies. Violence flared in Darfur in 2003 when black African rebel groups took up arms against the government in Khartoum, complaining of discrimination and neglect. The UN currently estimates that over 300,000 have been in killed in the six-year conflict. Khartoum says about 10,000 died.