Sudan denounces ICC bid to arrest and try al-Bashir

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir (C) gestures to supporters after delivering a speech during an election campaign rally in Madani, the capital of Sudan's east-central al-Jazirah state, on February 26, 2015 ahead of the April 13 elections. PHOTO | ASHRAF SHAZLY |

What you need to know:

  • The International Criminal Court has urged the Security Council to help with the arrest of President Bashir
  • A Darfurina movement has called on UNSC to take its responsibility to arrest Bashir and hand him over to the court.

KHARTOUM

Sudan has denounced the decision by the ICC to refer President Omar al-Bashir’s case to the UN Security Council.

The International Criminal Court has urged the Security Council to help with the arrest of President Bashir, who has been indicted for genocide in the troubled Darfur region.

The court has accused Khartoum of failing to effect the arrest and called on the Council to “take the necessary measures” to address the matter.

In its first reaction, Sudan described the court’s decision as an indication of its failure.

Information Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman said in statement on Thursday that Sudan had nothing to do with the ICC decision as it was not part of it.
“The decisions of this court are not binding on Sudan as we are not signatories to the Rome Statute.

“We have nothing to do with this court, the Sudanese minister said.

However, a Darfurina movement has called on UNSC to take its responsibility to arrest Bashir and hand him over to the court.

Talking to the Africa Review on Tuesday, the chairman of the Sudan Liberation Movement, Mr Abdul Wahid Alnour, urged the council to take the necessary legal procedures to pursue President Bashir until his arrest.

“The UNSC should take its responsibility and the international community should support the victims and lift the impunity of the criminal officials,” he urged.

“It is a shame that the UNSC can’t implement the international justice for around six years,” he added.