African Civic Leaders Statement on the situation in Sudan

In 2009, African civil society leaders, Nobel Laureates, and justice experts from across the continent called for action on the crisis in Sudan. In particular, the leaders supported the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and called for humanitarian access. The statement, signed by Nobel Laureates Wangari Maathai (Peace, 2004), Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Peace, 1984), and Wole Soyinka (Literature, 1986), as well as 39 other prominent African experts, emphasised the ICC's critical role in achieving the objectives of justice and accountability for the peoples of Sudan. The signatories call for accountability and urge African political leaders to dramatically step up efforts to negotiate an end to the violence in Darfur and ensure that all parties to the conflict, including the government, armed groups, and especially women who have been building the path to peace, are at the peace table.