US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC

July 1, 2009 (WASHINGTON) — The Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir must face the charges brought against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC), a senior US official said today.


U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson

The ICC had issued an arrest warrant for Bashir last March on seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with crimes allegedly committed in Sudan’s western region of Darfur.

The prosecutor of the ICC Luis Moreno-Ocampo is expected to submit an appeal for the inclusion of crime of genocide in the counts against Bashir, which the judges have refused to endorse citing insufficient evidence.

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson said in an interview with All Africa website that the Obama administration is “engaging with the [Sudanese] government broadly to achieve important objectives”.

Carson said that the US is using its “diplomatic power” to come up with a solution to the problems facing Sudan despite the outstanding arrest warrant against its president.

The US administration came under fire from Darfur advocacy groups for what they view as a lenient approach in dealing with Khartoum despite pledges made by Obama during his presidential campaign for tougher action.

“There’s no question that we’re going to have to work with the government of Sudan. It is both a part of the problem and part of the solution,” the US official added.

However, Carson cautioned that Bashir would have to answer to the charges brought against him by the ICC.

“Notwithstanding all of this, an arrest warrant has been issued for Bashir by the ICC for war crimes in Darfur. He should do the right thing and face those charges,” he said.

Washington reacted cautiously to the ICC arrest warrant issued and a key U.S senator John Kerry told reporters in Khartoum in April that it has “complicated matters”.

The statements made today by the US official may anger Khartoum which has hailed a “new approach” by Washington that is “less hostile” than previous administrations.

The appointment of Carson last May received a warm welcome from Sudan, which views him more favorably than his predecessor Jendayi Frazer.

(ST)

17 Forum messages

US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC 2 July 2009 05:16, by oshay

It’s nothing new, Hillary Clinton, a more senior official said the exact same thing. I hope since the US is unwilling to prosecute its own atrocities, the security council should refer the case of the numerous bombing on funerals in Afghanistan and most recently the bombing that killed 147 men women and children while they slept at night but hold on a sec! the US is a member of the Security council and it wields the veto power and so no one can bring it to justice... ah well we might as well tell the much poorer and weaker Sudan to cooperate with a court we’re not a member of!!!!!

Seriously, this is exactly why India refused to join the court it said specifically if the court can be referred by the veto wielding members of the security council then all the cases are politicized.

US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC 2 July 2009 06:50, by Samson Shawel Ambaye

God be with the ICC and Right Honorable Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo . He is not only Prosecutor of ICC but also Judge of Judges of the planet for helping poorest victims of Darfur. ICC judges must obey his greatest help and influence for promoting respect for human rights in Africa. Bashir is devil of Africa and must be arrested with out any precondition. Whoever defends Bashir is pro devil whether Mbeki or other groups. Bashir is a genocide criminal and must be arrested. ICC must cooperate with Right Honorable Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo and enhance the arrest of Bashir as soon as possible.

God be with Right honorable Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo for helping justice and human rights in Africa.

US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC 2 July 2009 07:05, by Garang Arok

WHAT A SPEAR IN THE HEAD..........

Bravo to the US government stand on criminal’s arrest. The vulnerable AU should keep quiet this time because it becoming a club for African criminals who call themselves presidents but preside over nothing than victimizing the people they lead.

Call Mohammad boy to withhold the decision send Gen.Salah Gosh again with dollars to influence the outcome,the same way you did to the vulnerable AU.
- US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC 2 July 2009 07:50, by Lokorai
  
  USA,
  
  Your stand to destabilize Sudan is well documented and no secret, even when your stooge Koffi Annan goes ahead of you to express the same obvious project.
  
  You aren’t going to fool anyone here, justice must be done (in any distance future) on the USA for crimes against humanity in other part of the world not Al Bashir.
  
  President Al Bashir interest is within his constitutional rule and Sudan have faith in him.
  
  Whatever you have tried and still continue to pursue will still not work; Sudanese will stand with their President and no amount of bully and threat will make that happen!
  
  Remember you aren’t strong than God! Even the peace for Southerners this man called Al Bashir has brought should have bothered you, what a world!
  
  Lokorai
  - US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC 2 July 2009 08:46, by Demarjack
    
    lokori, Its good to identified your stand with Omer Al Basher I know he is your mother second husband; wait both of you will face justice together.
    
    Last time I commended on one of my articles that those who are causing problem among the southern are the Basher Children who are been plant to destroy the CPA.
    
    I strongly worn you guys lokori, logic Boy and the rest please just eat the money of the blood given to you by NIF and wait for your final judgement to come.
    
    Long Live South Sudan
    
    Long live SPLM/SPLA OYEEEEEEEEEE.
    
    Long Live Unity of South Sudan free from all evil art.
  - US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC 2 July 2009 09:57, by Leo Abi
    
    My Dear man, Mr. Lokorai,
    
    Thanks for your remarks. That is very good. But I would like to put to your attention that use words like "The sudan has faith in him" and "the Sudanese will support him" are not Logical. Talk as you know what is happening in the Sudan. If the Sudanese have faith in him, there would be no trouble in the country most especially civil wars. We way you put your statements eliminates other parts to belong to Sudan. If the Furs and other tribes sleeping in coldness without shelter, only with those who enjoy any sugar coated sweet will have their short lasting glory over the suffering countrymates. For those who see their own image in another human, will know what a right thing to say about what to say it. White, Black, Arab and what ever color of human being is created in the image of God
- US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC 2 July 2009 08:20, by Ajuscommando
  
  I concur with US official statement for Sudan president Mr. Omer Bashir to face justices like others because Khartoum government prevail themselves as the only strong government. The war crime in Sudan has prevalent in Dafur at the present moment and before in Southern Sudan where Bashir Killed thousands of children, old men and women. Now I’m surprising why Khartoum government is prevaricate to the crime they have done in Dafur region while they were sending troops to go and kill innocent civilians in the region. Please Mr. Omer Bashir; there is time for everything as you have heard, there is time for eating, time for joking, time for cheating, time for killing and time for judgment which you will face soon due your misconduct on war crime in Sudan since you took government through coup in 19989 and particles terrorism in the country. I can say Bravo to US Administration to have great consideration in Sudan problem since country has many terrorist in present leadership.
  
  Ajus

US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC 2 July 2009 08:31, by paul baak anyaar

Action speaks louder than words. It’s a great waste of time and words to keep on calling on Al Bashir to stand before the ICC. Where were the US officials when Bashir visited several countries in show of defiance to the so-called ICC. That was the proper time to capitalize on and apprehend his arrest. If you people think that this man will willingly surrender to the Hague based court then you are not anything less than naive.

US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC 2 July 2009 09:17, by Father Critic

Omer Hassen must face justice whether he wishes or not.The ICC has right to protect innocent people in Darfur if the government or (NCP)Non Christians Party does not want to.Critic Ngueny from Bor town

US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC 2 July 2009 09:25, by Markoni

Dear Mareno, You have been saying that you issued an arrest warrant some months ago for sure that you will arrest Bashir if he crosses neighbouring borders. Decieving people that coming week,month, months it is better to be years.

Markoni Mou

US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC 2 July 2009 14:40, by Peter Mayen wen Majongdit

I am a southern sudan based in Warrap and I would like to tell the Public that the truth of he matter is that if the president do not face the fact and apear before the court and justfied his position. my father told me that a right man he always has courges, so please Mr Present can you go to the court and justfiy to the whole world that you free and good man of development not man of killing his people, the truth of this can only be seen by you MR present apearing before the court. peter Mayen wen Majongdit

US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC 2 July 2009 15:05, by TIM TOSH

Washington

President Omer Hassan Al Bashir must face the consequence of his action.Crime against Humanity and genocide in Darfur.I want Bashir hung like his friend Sadaam Hessen

US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC 2 July 2009 20:23, by yirolda

PRESIDENT BASHIR MUST GO TO THE COURT SUCH AS TO PROVE HIM INNOCENT OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANINTY AND IF NOT HE IS THE KILLER OF

US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC 2 July 2009 21:20, by Thyinka

Bashir will face Hague one day unless he dies before going there but he will never have a peaceful retirement when he leaves power which is sooner than latter.

To all Sudanese and US secretary. 3 July 2009 12:52, by Awadia Tania

It’s a surprise to see whole world confused by simple thing !!. If I were on power,I should have convinced everybody to leave Bashire !. I know most of you are against this say but let me tell you, I am from Southern Sudan and I am living in Australia yet I remember that we are all sons of Africa too.

Yes Bashir has tyranny in several years but now he is arranging his Country with great attention. Look most of our relatives are in Kharoum with him,and they do every thing equally to them but we(Southerners and Darfurians )are so addicted to the past event that they could not stop claiming indictment. Please let’s call unity and see how rich our Country is.

Of course most opposed Bashir for his misdoing but I think it’s a tendency of every leader to govern in away of both bad and good mood. please remember your single Nationality too(Africanism)

Back to Western Government,I thank you very much for your help that allow us come to these western world.I also thank for the freedom of speech that you had allowed to avail to rely on truth, here my say is, the indictment of Bashire may ruin all Afican Countries because most leaders have made the same lawless governing.If other 21 African leaders die of indictment maybe you will not appreciate this great death of important people. I never appreciate the court even if I live with an other opposer whom we use the same computer. So I beg you not to indict Omer el Bashire.

I like all people on the world !
- To all Sudanese and US secretary. 4 July 2009 04:28, by kuminyandi
  
  Dear Awadia,
  
  I do agree with what you saying, but the law is always the divider. In other words, if our President Al bashier believes to be innocent, then he must appear to the court and proof that to the court.
  
  As the law says, everyone is presumed innocent until proved guilty, therefore, our president must do the right thing by appearing in the court to defend his regime and himself.
  
  Also, by evading the court, he may put the country in further jeopardy. As you mentioned in your article, we might lose what we already built, and that would be the ultimate destruction of our country.
  
  Our President Al bashier need not to afraid, there’re many competent lawyers and attorneys worldwide willing to defend him legally. For the sake of justice, I suggest our president should turn himself in and contest the charges agaist him.
  
  I think you should agree with your roommate about Al bashier appearance in the international court is the right thing to do; and that would be a good example for some Africans leaders to follow in the future. Is not necessarily that he is going to be indicted once and for all, but to let his part of the story be heard by the internationl court and the international community as well.
US calls on Sudan president to stand before ICC 4 July 2009 10:49, by Kamula

Listen out there. even if President Bashir died, still the ICC will not leave him, his dead body must be Hang like the one of his enginer late Sadam.....