South Darfur women groups protest against ICC expected move
January 20, 2009 (NYALA) — South Darfur women’s groups submit protest letter to UNAMID in Nyala related to a possible indictment of Sudanese President by International Criminal Court (ICC) over Darfur crimes.
Women local associations held a peaceful rally outside UNAMID’s sector headquarters in Nyala on Monday. Representatives of various South Darfur political and social associations and organizations delivered a petition to UNAMID Acting Head-of-Office, Marcel Akpovo, in which they deplored the possibility that the ICC may indict President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.
Last July the ICC Chief prosecutor filed 10 charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes against the Sudanese President requesting a arrest warrant for him. Since Khartoum failed to convince the UN Security Council to suspend the jurisdiction of the court.
This Khartoum hinted to expel the hybrid force in Darfur saying it could not guarantee the safety of the troops. The UNAMID staff is regularly harassed by unidentified groups.
The protesters stressed their rejection of this the issuance an arrest warrant for Al-Bashir, warning that these false allegations would lead to new war and clashes in Darfur.
The women groups reiterated the fairness and justice of the Sudanese judicial system, pointing out that they reject the surrendering of any Sudanese citizen and stand by the nation’s sovereignty.
The members of the State Women’s Association reaffirmed their support to the Darfur Peace Agreement signed by Sudan government and a former rebel group led by Minni Minnawi in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 5, 2006.
Addressing the demonstrators, Akpovo said UNAMID is committed to assist Darfurians in achieving peace, in accordance with the mandate of the mission. He also reaffirmed the importance of UNAMID working hand in hand with the people of Darfur, including women, to attain that objective.
(ST)