US, Israel driving support for terror organisations: Bashir
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
February 20, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – Sudanese president Omar Hassen al Bashir has accused US and Israeli intelligence agencies of funding terror organisations ISIS and Nigeria’s boko haram.
“Because aside from the US and Israel no other entity has anything to gain from funding such groups,” he said.
He said the US policy in the Arab world and the support it provides to Israel were among the main factors driving many young Muslims to join the ranks of terrorist organisations.
Bashir called on the international community to end its violent response to terror organisations, warning it could lead to further extremism.
“Taking at look at the policy of the US and its boundless support to Israel, as well as the Israeli policy against Palestine; these are the main reasons young Muslims are joining these organizations,” he said.
According to Bashir, Israeli aggression against holy sites such as al-aqusa mosque, the expulsion of Palestinians from their homes and ongoing hostilities in Gaza are only serving to fan resentment and anger young Muslims.
“We are against the Israeli policy in the region,” he said. “We fully support the Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation,” he added.
WAR CRIMES
When asked about his involvement in alleged war crimes and genocide in Darfur, the Sudanese president dismissed the allegations as part of “anti-Sudan campaigns”.
“We are paying for [the] attitude toward US policy in the Arab region,” he told the European broadcaster, citing Sudan’s position against the war in Iraq and Iraqi occupation in Kuwait.
“I personally travelled to Iraqi and told Sadam Hussein that this was wrong and must be corrected,” Bashir said, arguing that Sudan’s position has created hostilities with world powers such as the US.
Bashir also denied accusations of ethnic cleansing in Darfur, describing the claims as “a mere allegation” and the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a “political court”.
He alleged that some of the witnesses in the case had since returned to Sudan and expressed regret over the evidence they provided, admitting that they had been coached.
The Sudanese president is the only sitting head of state facing a trial in the ICC.
ARAB SPRING
Bashir also dismissed any concerns of an uprising in Sudan similar to that which occurred during the Arab spring.
He said while there had been some attempts in the past 25 years, support for the government remained strong.
He said Sudanese opposition groups have no capacity to mobilise the whole population as had been attempted in the past.
(ST)