US confirms ICC arrest warrant against Sudanese president
July 11, 2008 (WASHINGTON) — The US State Department confirmed Friday that prosecutors from the International Criminal Court were to seek an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir for genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur.
“I understand that there is some notice that the prosecutor intends to go before a panel of judges to present information and request for a warrant,” department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.
He was asked to confirm reports that ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo will seek the arrest warrant Monday in the first-ever bid before The Hague-based tribunal to charge a sitting head of state with war crimes.
“My understanding of the procedures is that the panel of judges will take the request and advisement and make some decision in some period of time. I can’t tell you how long it would be,” McCormack said.
Some UN officials feared the move to haul up Beshir could complicate the peace process in Darfur and trigger a military response by Sudanese forces or their proxies against UN and African Union peacekeepers.
McCormack warned Sudan against taking any such action.
“I would simply say that it is our view that all parties, including Sudan, need to abide by their international obligations.
“In the case of Sudan, this means their international obligations vis-a-vis deployment of peacekeepers and, of course, we deplore any violence that takes place, whoever is responsible for that.”
(AFP)
Nuri ya Wasudi
US confirms ICC arrest warrant against Sudanese president
Good I am very happy for US confirmation of ICC arrest warrant for Bashir
LONE
US confirms ICC arrest warrant against Sudanese president
The arrest warrant against Bashir has come at the time when the destiny of the South is to be decided. Let’s hope this will not rock our most cherished item: CPA.
He played host to the most wanted man; Osama bin Laden for years. US did nothing about it. He bombed defenceless civilians in the south, again Big Sam did nothing. Let’s see what happens next.
As the saying goes, those living by the sword die by the sword.
Sihs
US confirms ICC arrest warrant against Sudanese president
THIS IS NOT JUSTICE , INDICITNG A HEAD OF STATE WHILE UNABLE TO CHARGE EVEN A US SOLDIER IN IRAQ OR AFGANISTAN ,WHERE HUNDREDS WERE KILLED ……..IS THIS JUSTICE ??? …………..THE WROLD KEEP A BLIND EYE ON THOSE REGIONS AND CHASE SUDAN TO HARGE THE SYMBOL OF SOVERGNITY……………..IT IS TOTALLY UNFAIR …..MR.OCAMBO WOULD YOU TELL US IF YOU CAN CHARGE A US SOLDEIR ?????????????????????????.. I DON`T THINK PEOPLE OF SUDAN WILL TAKE THAT….THEY HAVE TO FIGHT THESE INEQUALITIES AND DOUBLE STANDARDS FOR THE LAST MAN…………..EITHER LIVE WITH DIGINITY OR DIE ……………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sihs
US confirms ICC arrest warrant against Sudanese president
The ICC’s short record shows that the Court is better off without indicting senior officials like the president of Sudan. There are chances of violence escalating. The court would face challenges in securing arrest as shown in Sudan and in other countries like Uganda. Eventually people will lose faith in the Court which seems toothless. Those inclined to commit atrocities would not be deterred either as they reflect on a record of failure to bring justice by this Court.
It appears the Court already has its plate full without indicting more people. We are yet to see any single person being successfully tried by this Court. Adding more people as its targets obviously need more resources which I am not sure the Court has.
The Court will also face cooperation challenges from the a divided international community. So far China is largely blamed for the continued impunity in Sudan but many would also know that the US is not committed to the ICC and has interests as well in Sudan.This does affect the prospects of arresting those indicted.
Once those in power are indicted, I would suggest that a likely consequence is that they would want to continue in power forever to lessen their chances of ever being brought before the Court. As long as they are in power they control the internal criminal justice mechanisms/institutions like the police. They can decide to stay in power at all costs.
I think all this would caution the ICC against expanding its reach beyond what it can cope with.
As for the other means of securing peace it appears, without discussing in detail, that this could be a viable option which so far has also been affected by the commitment of the international community
Butrus Ajak.
US confirms ICC arrest warrant against Sudanese president
Yep! That’s it, you were then tracing wrong person before, Bashir is the right man for the case, go after him and come back for another one in the South. He deserves to taste the fruit of what he did.
Maguacwum the Young.
Kur
US confirms ICC arrest warrant against Sudanese president
It will be the happiest day for the victims of Bashir’s criminal acts in Darfur and South Sudan if he is ever named and charged by the ICC. Justice must prevail!
Kur
Yaak Barach
US confirms ICC arrest warrant against Sudanese president
This is the greatest news and the best thing ever to have happened to the marginalized Africans in Sudan, should the ICC go ahead and issue arrest warrants against Omar Basshiir and charge him with millions of lives that perished because of his greed for power.
He deserves to be behind bars as many on this website had been calling for including myself. The ICC had been beating about the bush when it issued arrest warrants against Haroun and others who are Bashiir’s slaves.
PLIZ ICC go ahead with your plan and arrest this tyrant so that Sudanese can have peace in their country!!!!!!!!!!
victim majok ayuen
US confirms ICC arrest warrant against Sudanese president
Dear,ICC
Mr. Bashir is a criminal of international standard. He need special formula to persuade him to accept the challenge ahead.
l was supprise today to see him in his full military uniform and talking boldly against the warrant, this means he is not convince that the hell has broken loose. I hope the people of Sudan would not accept to be mislead just like the Iraqis were.
Bashir must face the charges whatsoever.
the voice of concern is in search of social redemption.
Uthura'ng Ngorok
US confirms ICC arrest warrant against Sudanese president
I think attending the court does not mean someone is already guilty untill proven by the court.
Mr president Omar Al Bashir,you better attend this ICC to defend yourself and prove to the world that you have not committed any attrocities in Sudan,the best advice I could give you.
For my friend? or enemy? mr Shi,if you are one of those malitias that were used by Bashir to loot,kill from the horses backs and do all that you think were the right things in Sudan and even upto today,given a pair of keys one to open the gate and one the room in heaven incase you are killed and died in the grace of ALLAH,I advice you to go and start war as you proclaimed or just keep quiet.
Omer Bashir is the Sudanese president,yes but he is notorous.Better for him was death than ICC that has chances for him to breathe again.
Think about it.