Bashir’s indictment is an American continued regime change project
By Isaiah Abraham
July 16, 2008 — In as much as we want to sympathize with our people in Darfur, let’s not forget the external interest of the Americans/west in this episode. I don’t think the indictment of Al Bashir is anything exciting as far as our future is concerned. This possible indictment though is an accountability (justice), its untimely and unwarranted just to say the least. The good lawyer (Louis Moreno-Ocampo) makes no pretense of his ignorance of Sudan and the actual happenings in the country; he has slavishly gone ahead to act on the behest of another body. The ICC Chief Prosecutor has little regards to the nature of jurisdiction is to apply his defendants. Hence this body and the man are perfidious only out for a scheme, namely the regime change in the Sudan.
Africans know justice but they also care about the consequences or casualties of that justice. Africans solutions will always remain the best! It’s not secret that the powerful nation on earth stands for the unity of the Sudan irrespective of other views in this country. It’s not a surprise and everyone knows it was just coming; but unity on Americans terms won’t help the situation on the ground! We have fragile peace agreements that need nurturing and protection.
Its mind boggling therefore that the regime that has brought about peace almost to the whole country is push to leave power half way before the work they have started is wound. The world moreover didn’t even bother to verify cases purported to have been committed by the Sudanese Government. Unfortunately we are quick to jump our guns and demonized El Bashir even when there are begging questions hanging over issues that need answers. None is innocent in Darfur to be exact and there is too much exaggeration if not propaganda going on there. Indictment should have been applied to rebel leaders if the world is fair. They have been responsible too for atrocities in Darfur against their own people.
The groups attacks UN convoys on daily basis, conspicuously however they always get away with it. They shoot down planes and attacks sitting government frequently, and whenever the government responded the world come out with big mouth hard on it, what do you think is going on here? That is not justice we all know but blackmailing. Legally still the Sudan never been any signatory to the Rome Treaty or Statute of the 2002, the same way the USA is. I just pray that the three judges throw out Mr. Louis’s charges against El Bashir. Mr. Louis couldn’t be realistic indeed; he should have allowed peace a chance however the pace. Justice won’t run away but peace.
The west and Darfuris groups aren’t serious; they are spoilers, if not why didn’t they come to declare it genocide when the same horse riding attackers (Janjaweed) were abducting, slave trading, raping, torching and systematic scorch earth campaign against Dinka population in the 1980s? How many lives were lost in Mading Aweil and Twic land at that time? More than 300,000 lives were lost and no one lifted a figure to cal it crimes against humanity. People want others to suffer when they are living in Western cities reveling while the innocent person who feels the pinch goes from dilemma to dilemma each passing day. Why would anyone want the world to get in to a situation when those who are responsible for that mass are living in luxuries in Western capitals using every available communication means to twist things for their own good. People in the field want protection, compensation and the return. Justice is an obstruction at this point. Darfur refugees are suffering and efforts should be exerted to help them out of the camps back to their original homes.
It would be good for the rebels to unite quickly and come to the negotiating table for a peaceful resolution of the conflict other than play dirty politics in this country. SPLM must not serve two masters; Darfuris (leaders) aren’t interested in the stability of this country anymore. Southerners won’t go easy on them since their intention is to disrupt the implementation of the CPA. Violence, pressure or conspiracy won’t solve that problem, peaceful settlement would. The world is making another mistake, Sudan future lies with the CPA and the Sudanese not in Washington, London, Hague or Paris.
Southern Sudanese aren’t ready to play double standards. We have seen it and tasted it and never worked. We want our rights as guaranteed in the CPA to be respected; anything short or meant to undo this position is an affront and an act of aggression and our people won’t accept it. El Bashir must be left alone to finish the job he has started.
Isaiah Abraham is a Southern Sudanese living in Southern Sudan; he could be reached on [email protected]