New violence in Sudan, Darfur one year after indictment of Bashir

One year ago Thursday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir, on charges of crimes against humanity. Now, on the first anniversary of the arrest warrant, fighting is raging in Darfur–the war-torn Sudanese province that is the source of much of the case against Mr. Bashir. Yet in Khartoum, the African country's capital, ubiquitous campaign posters hail Bashir's run in April national elections. The president's most prominent challenger, however, is censured for even mentioning the ICC's indictment of the Sudanese leader. Many observers of Darfur have retreated in recent months from calling the conflict in the province a "genocide," as President George W. Bush did during his tenure. But human rights experts say Bashir still must be held accountable for the government's legacy of intense violence in Darfur if the country is ever to know peace and justice.