Sudan former PM reiterates position on ICC Darfur investigations

July 8, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – Former Sudanese Prime Minister and leader of the opposition Umma party Sadiq al-Mahdi reaffirmed his support for International Criminal Court (ICC) Darfur investigations.

“Our position has been clear from the start. We supported the referral of the Darfur case to the ICC. There has been no change in that” al-Mahdi told Sudan Tribune.

Last May the Umma party and the ruling National Congress Party (NSCP) signed an agreement known as “National Reconciliation Agreement” which largely outlines a number of fundamental principles that both sides share the same views on.

The agreement has come under fire from other opposition parties who viewed it as a step towards a political alliance between the NCP and the Umma party, something which Al-Mahdi has strongly denied.

The Umma party chief said that the issue of ICC was not included in his agreement with NCP.

“This was not discussed and as such each party retained his position on the matter” he said.

The ICC prosecutor told the UN Security Council (UNSC) last month that he would seek new indictments in July against senior Sudanese officials.

The announcement prompted fears that the new indictments may further complicate matters in Sudan.

But Al-Mahdi refused to speculate on the government’s reaction saying “we will cross the bridge when we get to it”.

Sudan has not ratified the Rome Statue, but the UN Security Council (UNSC) invoked the provisions under the Statue that enables it to refer situations in non-State parties to the world court if it deems that it is a threat to international peace and security.

(ST)