THE HAGUE: The Netherlands-based International Criminal Court (ICC) yesterday issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Bashir on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Darfur region. But the three-judge panel said there was insufficient evidence to support charges of genocide.
“He is suspected of being criminally responsible ... for intentionally directing attacks against an important part of the civilian population of Darfur, murdering, exterminating, raping, torturing and forcibly transferring large numbers of civilians, and pillaging their property,” court spokeswoman Laurence Blairon said.
If Bashir is brought to trial and prosecuted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
“Sudan will not deal with this court,” Justice Minister Abdul Basit Sabdarat declared. “We absolutely reject the ICC’s decision because Sudan is not a member of the court and it has no jurisdiction over Sudan,” he added.
In the Sudanese capital Khartoum, banner-waving crowds numbering in their thousands massed on the banks of the Nile, chanting, “We love you President Bashir,” and “We will protect President Bashir with every drop of our blood.”
Demonstrators trampled on portraits of ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, and one giant poster portrayed him as a pig.
Some demonstrators called for “jihad” or holy war against the United States, which has long had strained relations with Khartoum.
“The Sudanese must combat the Westerners and the Americans. We will be victorious,” cried protesters.
Pro-Bashir demonstrations were held in other parts of Sudan, including towns in conflict-torn Darfur itself.
Ahead of the ICC announcement, the Sudanese Army broadcast a stark warning on state radio against anyone trying to exploit the court’s decision.
“The armed forces will firmly deal with whoever cooperates with the so-called International Criminal Court, and uses it as a platform for political blackmail and for destabilizing the security and stability of the country,” spokesman Osman Al-Aghbash said.
Karti said in Cairo the decision would “have no effect on President Bashir, who will continue to carry out his duties normally,” including attending an Arab summit in Qatar at the end of the month.
Salva Kiir, Sudan’s first vice president and president of the semi-autonomous south Sudan, said on the eve of the decision that he was “committed to justice — without compromising peace and stability.”
Kiir, who flew to Khartoum following the announcement, said north and south would work together “to politically and diplomatically handle the decision of the court.”
Sudanese TV did not carry The Hague news conference, but at one point interrupted programming with a brief news report that the warrant had been issued. The broadcaster on state radio announced the decision, and added, “a new chapter now begins.”
Ahead of the ICC announcement, Bashir met the head of an American-Christian humanitarian charity. He gave a thumbs-up sign to reporters and said any attempt to prosecute him would have “no value.”
