Arrest Warrant for Sudanese President - ICC

DaBishop · Mar 4, 2009 , 03:46 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa...ges/index.html

International Court issues arrest warrant for Sudanese president

* Story Highlights
* Sudanese president charged with genocide for campaign of violence in Darfur
* Omar Hassan al-Bashir could be first sitting president to be indicted for genocide
* Sudanese official: Possible international prosecution stupid and malicious
* About 300,000 have died in Darfur, U.N. says; 2.5 million forced from homes

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (CNN) -- The International Criminal Court at the Hague issued an arrest warrant Wednesday for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for a five-year campaign of violence in Darfur.

Bashir is charged with seven counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes. The warrant does not mention genocide, but the court may issue an amended warrant to include that charge later, ICC spokeswoman Laurence Blairon said.

Five counts are for crimes against humanity and include murder, extermination, forcible transfer, torture, and rape, Blairon said. The other two are for war crimes, for intentionally directing attacks against civilians and for pillaging.

"Bashir's official capacity as head of state does not exclude criminal responsibility or get him immunity," Blairon said in announcing the warrant.

The ICC's chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, filed genocide charges against al-Bashir in July last year, accusing him of masterminding attempts to wipe out African tribes in the war-torn region with a campaign of murder, rape and deportation. VideoWatch more on the verdict »

The violence in Darfur erupted in 2003 after rebels began an uprising against the Sudanese government. To counter the rebels, Sudanese authorities armed and cooperated with Arab militias that went from village to village in Darfur, killing, torturing and raping residents there, according to the United Nations, Western governments and human rights organizations.

The militias targeted civilian members of tribes from which the rebels drew strength.

Moreno-Ocampo told CNN's Nic Robertson last year that he had "strong evidence that al-Bashir is committing a genocide." But Blairon said the evidence submitted to judges so far doesn't support that charge.

"In order to speak about a genocide, you need to have a clear intent that a person wishes to destroy, in part or as a whole, a targeted group, a specific group," Blairon said. "In this specific case, the (judges of the) Pre-Trial Chamber 1 has not been able to find that there were reasonable grounds to establish the genocidal intent."

Prosecutors may still return to the chamber if new evidence of genocide emerges, and the court may then decide to issue an amended warrant, she said.

Al-Bashir bears responsibility for the crimes committed in Darfur, Moreno-Ocampo said last year, because he sat at the apex of the government.

"For such crimes to be committed over a period of five years and throughout Darfur, al-Bashir had to mobilize and keep mobilized the whole state apparatus; he had to control and direct perpetrators; and he had to rely on a genocidal plan," Moreno-Ocampo wrote as background for arrest warrant request. VideoA man describes how he was told to rape children »

Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha has long rejected the authority of the ICC, saying Sudan was not a signatory to the court's creation.

"Hence there is no legal obligation or power over Sudan, whether Sudanese organizations or citizens," he said.

Taha also called the charges an attempt to "paralyze" his country. And Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad, Sudan's ambassador to the United Nations, said his government would respond through legal, political and "other means."

"The limit is the sky for our retaliation," he said.

About 300,000 people have died in Darfur, the United Nations estimates, and 2.5 million have been forced from their homes. VideoWatch a tour of Darfur's deserted Northern Corridor »

Last month, renewed fighting forced thousands of people in the southern part of Darfur to seek security and shelter at a refugee camp in the north of the war-torn area, the United Nations said.

The U.N.'s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that fighting in Muhajeria and Shearia between Sudanese government forces, and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), drove over 15,000 people north to the Zam Zam camp.

CNN's Nic Robertson contributed to this report.

dem · Mar 4, 2009 , 09:05 PM

.................Good

Miliki Way · Mar 4, 2009 , 09:23 PM

When is the ICC going to issue an arrest warrant for Bush jnr for waging the Iraq war?

Na when e reach Africa their bone dey strong well well (that is not to say I support what the Sudanese president is accused of doing).

No Smoking · Mar 4, 2009 , 09:46 PM

Miliki way, na so yu dey dance miliki, shift forward, shift backward..

Great move from the ICJ...

Bunch17 · Mar 4, 2009 , 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by Miliki Way

When is the ICC going to issue an arrest warrant for Bush jnr for waging the Iraq war?

Why?

charles4u · Mar 4, 2009 , 10:26 PM

...Atleast other Arab and African countries are backing him up, Yes make the ICC go eat their warrant (we no say the man fuckup but na dem go always put person for prison ?).

...Infact, why we no prosecute UK for slavery and killings or the American ship in the bombing of an Iraq passenger plane mistaking it for whatever but killed 259 passengers and what the US said was that Iraqs should try to make sure their plane responds good on international water.........no we no go talk koko, na so so powerless people dey loose...thank God Iran is building a nuclear plant and Nigeria is already talking with Russia...make we scatter everything

Miliki Way · Mar 5, 2009 , 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by Bunch17

Why?

Why not?

Won't the ICC have issued a "warrant" against Yaradua if he cooked up some non-existing threats and waged war against say, Equatorial Guinea? Moreso when the UN never sanctioned it? No?

No Smoking · Mar 5, 2009 , 12:34 AM

Iraq's Saddam Hussein was a war-mongerer. Can he be compared to the poor peasants of Darfur who have suffered large-scale massacre and ethnic cleansing from Bashir's Janja-weeds?

Celticologist · Mar 5, 2009 , 12:51 AM

Good move by ICC and all the powers involved. Unfortunately, this kind of warrant may gather dust for long before madman Bashir ever comes close to facing justice; if that ever happens. He will most likely restrict himself to travelling only within africa and some Islamic fiefdoms that patronize his country's resources.
One last hurdle is China, a country that (sadly) has now become a "power" to be begged and worshipped and appeased over issues like Dafur.

Celticologist · Mar 5, 2009 , 01:20 AM

Originally Posted by charles4u

...Atleast other Arab and African countries are backing him up, Yes make the ICC go eat their warrant (we no say the man fuckup but na dem go always put person for prison ?).

...Infact, why we no prosecute UK for slavery and killings or the American ship in the bombing of an Iraq passenger plane mistaking it for whatever but killed 259 passengers and what the US said was that Iraqs should try to make sure their plane responds good on international water.........no we no go talk koko, na so so powerless people dey loose...thank God Iran is building a nuclear plant and Nigeria is already talking with Russia...make we scatter everything

The rather interesting part of the story is that most AU leaders are either in full support of this mad man, or simply maintaining a "don't snitch" conspiratorial silence!. Just like they lined behind "brother" Mugabe.

Before you prosecute the UK for slavery; (which isn't such a bad idea), have you considered the roles of African chiefs in the trade?, followed by Arab slave traders?.

There are different accounts of USS Vincennes and the shooting down of an IRANIAN passenger plane; not an Iraqi. Unfortunately, the Iranians are not a credible source for anything.

Austin · Mar 5, 2009 , 01:55 AM

I watched the indictment and issue of arrest warrant live on CNN, I had a mixed reaction. What is the ICC trying to prove? What is the likely repercursion, short and long-term?

charles4u · Mar 5, 2009 , 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by Celticologist

The rather interesting part of the story is that most AU leaders are either in full support of this mad man, or simply maintaining a "don't snitch" conspiratorial silence!. Just like they lined behind "brother" Mugabe.

Before you prosecute the UK for slavery; (which isn't such a bad idea), have you considered the roles of African chiefs in the trade?, followed by Arab slave traders?.

There are different accounts of USS Vincennes and the shooting down of an IRANIAN passenger plane; not an Iraqi. Unfortunately, the Iranians are not a credible source for anything.

Yes they will find a way of putting those African leaders involve too, UK started it and were the main originator of slavery and killings in Nigeria so they should be prosecuted first and we will put other involve also.

Thanks for the correction of Iran, whatever the case may be...they have killed innocent people (259) without any charges from UN or ICC on US.....Pure nonsense

valteena · Mar 5, 2009 , 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Austin

I watched the indictment and issue of arrest warrant live on CNN, I had a mixed reaction. What is the ICC trying to prove? What is the likely repercursion, short and long-term?

Good point Austin and the repercussions are already manifesting with the expulsion of aid workers from the country. Definitely means shortage of much needed aids to the Dafurians, increased attackeds, killings and rape etc.

It is a shame that the AU and its leaders are unable to proactively help the cause of the African's in Dafur.

Inspite of this, the issuances of arrest warrant on the Sudanese leader is a welcome one. Let the Sudanese demostrate all they like, their leader deserved to be prosecuted and no matter how long it takes he will be.

Odinaka · Mar 5, 2009 , 12:17 PM

That mad man called Bashir went too far. After all his excesses in the south (during the more than two-decade long war between his Arabic North and the South), he decided to unleash his criminal activities on Darfurians. Unfortunately for him, the world have become more active in opposing war crimes and crimes against humanity after the errors of Serbia and Rwanda, after the guilt of knowing that their political and other considerations allowed criminals the freedom to murder several thousand civilians in cold blood. It's not as it the crimes Bashir committed in Darfur are worse than what he and his compatriots did in South Sudan (it's a painful fact that even some Darfurians joined their Arab big brothers in making life hell for their southern brothers). The very fact that he accommodated two men earlier charged by the ICC for crimes in Darfur in Sudan, without making any attempt, even if hypocritical, to investigate allegations of crime in Darfur did him in. The fact that he didn't take even a hypocritical step at curtailing the janjaweed which he arms and supports to destroy first the South Sudanese and later Dafurians was his undoing.

It might take a while before he is brought to justice. It might not happen at all. But the burden of that indictment means he will never be the same president of Sudan again, his attempts to remain casual notwithstanding.

I understand the point of those who are saying the indictment shouldn't have come now so as not to jeopardise the peace processes in Darfur and the South. However, history doesn't show that criminals become less evil with concessions. Hitler got some concessions but that didn't stop him from moving ahead with his evil ways. He deserves this indictment.

As for those asking why ICC have to focus on Africa and not the Americans and British, please go ahead with that old, worn out, convenient afro-centric (hate to use the word here) excuse or reasoning until the day your own village or tribe gets decimated like Odi and Zaki Ibiam (this is not saying that the events at those two towns happened because the people asked similar questions or gave similar excuses).

Every dog has it's day.

Odinaka · Mar 5, 2009 , 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by valteena

Good point Austin and the repercussions are already manifesting with the expulsion of aid workers from the country. Definitely means shortage of much needed aids to the Dafurians, increased attackeds, killings and rape etc.

It is a shame that the AU and its leaders are unable to proactively help the cause of the African's in Dafur.

Inspite of this, the issuances of arrest warrant on the Sudanese leader is a welcome one. Let the Sudanese demostrate all they like, their leader deserved to be prosecuted and no matter how long it takes he will be.

Madam, please take note of the nature of the demonstrations. It's coming primarily from his minority Arab clan in the North. Darfurians and South Sudanese won't drop a tear if the criminal is hanged tomorrow. The demonstrations are nothing new. We had pro-Abacha demonstrations. Milesovic, another war criminal, had supports too. Those folks demonstrating are not the people (who are the majority in the whole of Sudan by the way) whose lives have been turned into living hell by Bashir and his demonstrators. The only things you'll hear from a handful of Darfurians or South Sudanese that might sound like an opposition to the arrest warrant are the concerns about the effects on the peace processes. Nothing like support or love for Bashir.

Bill Carson · Mar 5, 2009 , 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Miliki Way

When is the ICC going to issue an arrest warrant for Bush jnr for waging the Iraq war?

Na when e reach Africa their bone dey strong well well (that is not to say I support what the Sudanese president is accused of doing).

MW,

When America & Western Nations (not Belgium & France) looked away during Rwanda, we all cried loud that the neglect was because the war was happening In Africa. With Darfur the spotlight was their from the beginning and with this Indictment we are witnessing the Chicken coming home for Bashir.

If UN decides to Invade Sudan today, I will gladly leave this forum and join the UN forces as a frontline officer….. Sudan Is the real “Axis of Evil” Killing Innocent Africans on the Arabic grand plan of expanding further South Into African Heartland.

George Bush Jr. Is no war Criminal, Iraq Is getting better and In the next few years will be a model democracy. Imagine that stupid journalist that threw shoes at Bush Jr, by now he would have been past tense Including everyone In his hometown during Saddam regime…… That he Is still alive to tell the tale Is sign of progress and a better society In the making.

Peace!

denker · Mar 5, 2009 , 01:21 PM

As for those asking why ICC have to focus on Africa and not the Americans and British, please go ahead with that old, worn out, convenient afro-centric (hate to use the word here) excuse or reasoning until the day your own village or tribe gets decimated like Odi and Zaki Ibiam (this is not saying that the events at those two towns happened because the people asked similar questions or gave similar excuses).

...why is Obasanjo still roaming the namespace, Africa, unmolested..?there's every reason to issue an arrest warrant for his person, too!

pappilo · Mar 5, 2009 , 02:05 PM

Still waiting on the ICJ to issue a warrant for the arrest of Olmert and his fellow zionists for war crimes in Gaza.

pappilo · Mar 5, 2009 , 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by Bill Carson

George Bush Jr. Is no war Criminal, Iraq Is getting better and In the next few years will be a model democracy. Imagine that stupid journalist that threw shoes at Bush Jr, by now he would have been past tense Including everyone In his hometown during Saddam regime…… That he Is still alive to tell the tale Is sign of progress and a better society In the making.

Peace!

We all know what happened to the man that threw his shoes at the Chinese Premier in Oxford. Now compare that to whats happening to the reporter in Iraq. Real democracy indeed. why dont the US help spread democracy to N.Korea and China. Hilary clinton even said recently that' human rights have no place in discussions when the world is the midst of an economic crises' Why do they always select who they help??? Is it simply a case of 'Eni a le mu lan ledi mo' (we only fight those we can beat).

DaBishop · Mar 5, 2009 , 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by pappilo

Still waiting on the ICJ to issue a warrant for the arrest of Olmert and his fellow zionists for war crimes in Gaza.

You go wait till kingdom come...

No let Yeshua wind blow you as we take off for messing with the apple of im eye...
And you don' t have to believe it, a trial will confuse you...ask de janjaweed arabs