ICC prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, contends that killing peacekeepers constitutes an attack on "the millions of civilians who those soldiers came to protect."

The rebel commander's voluntary appearance in court has created a deliberate contrast to the reaction of the government officials who have been issued arrest warrants.

Both the cabinet minister and Mr. Bashir have vilified the court, saying it has no jurisdiction over events in Sudan. The government denies accusations that it mobilised Arab militias to take revenge on the local population, in what the US and others have called a genocide.

In the debate over the creation of the ICC, the USA fought to curb its reach. They were particularly opposed to the possibility that American soldiers might be subjected to the court's jurisdiction.

Human rights groups and European leaders said they thought Washington was motivated by the fear that American policymakers, not just soldiers, would be held accountable before the court