Tense Sudan awaits court decision
| By Karen Allen East Africa correspondent, BBC News |
 President Omar al-Bashir has always denied backing Darfur militias |
Security is tight in Sudan ahead of an announcement from the International Criminal Court about a possible arrest warrant for President Omar Bashir.
He is accused of war crimes in the troubled region of Darfur.
About 300,000 people have died and 2.7 million people have been displaced in six years of conflict.
Sudanese officials say they will ignore the court's decision, but there are fears of retaliation against a joint African Union-UN peacekeeping force.
If the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague decides to issue a warrant for the arrest of President Omar Bashir, it will be the first time that a serving head of state has been indicted.
Back in July last year, prosecutors called for the Sudanese leader to be arrested for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, for allegedly using the tools of state to wage war on the people of Darfur.
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But the past few weeks have seen intense diplomatic efforts to try to delay the issuing of an arrest warrant.
Britain, France and the US are supporting the call to bring President Bashir to book for his alleged crimes.
But the AU and Arab League states have warned that any indictment could plunge the country into deeper crisis - just as a new round of peace talks appear to be gaining momentum.
Meanwhile, there are concerns about a military build-up along the Sudan-Chad border.
The two countries have accused each other of giving shelter to rival rebel groups, and there are concerns that the actions of the ICC could have violent consequences.
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