Thursday, March 28, 2024

Sudan Tribune

Plural news and views on Sudan

Sudan president says willing to step down if necessary

December 3, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The president of Sudan Omer Hassan Al-Bashir said that he is prepared to resign if it proves in the interest of his people.

Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir (AFP)
Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir (AFP)
“This is possible but who will determine the feasibility of it? Who will decide whether the resignation of Al-Bashir will serve Sudan good?” the Sudanese president said in an interview with the Al-Arab Qatari daily.

“If this a pure Sudanese decision then I will accept this very moment. But if the alternative was foreign powers then I will fight till the end” he added.

The rare statement by Al-Bashir signals increased pressure on him ahead of upcoming elections due to be held in 2009.

Al-Bashir faces a possible arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur against the African tribes.

The ICC judges are still reviewing the evidence against Al-Bashir. It is expected that their decision will come as early as January.

Al-Bashir is the presidential candidate for the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in the president elections. Sudanese officials have insisted that he will stand for re-election despite the indictment by the ICC.

The former army general came to power through a bloodless coup in 1989 that overthrew a democratically elected government.

An arrest warrant if issued by the ICC judges will restrict international movements of the Sudanese head of state even to states which are not legally bound to apprehend him.

Sudan has been lobbying world countries to support a UN Security Council resolution (UNSC) that stalls the ICC move against Al-Bashir. However Western countries said they will veto any such resolution unless Sudan takes concrete steps to end the crisis in Darfur.

(ST)

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