US hints at opposition to suspending ICC indictment of Sudan president
July 21, 2008 (ABU DHABI) — The US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the Sudanese government has an obligation to comply with UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
The US top diplomat was responding to questions on the Arab League’s statement issued on Saturday supporting Sudan president Omar Hassan Al-Bashir and condemning the move by the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor to seek arrest warrant for Al-Bashir.
The ICC’s prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo asked pre-trial judges last Monday to issue arrest warrants for Sudanese president Omar Hassan Al-Bashir.
Ocampo filed 10 charges: three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder. Judges are expected to take months to study the evidence before deciding whether to order Al-Bashir’s arrest.
The African Union (AU) today asked the UNSC to invoke article 16 of Rome Statue and suspend any indictment of Sudan’s head of state.
However to gain an agreement within the UNSC, Sudan’s allies China and Russia must ensure that US, UK and France will not use the veto power to block a resolution on suspension.
Sudan has not ratified the Rome Statue, but the 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.
Rice said that the US administration sticks with its position on labeling the Darfur crisis genocide, one of the counts brought by the ICC prosecutor against Al-Bashir.
“The President has already called what was going on in Sudan a genocide, so our views on this are clear and haven’t changed” she stressed.
Today the US envoy at the UN Zalmay Khalilzad said that he does not expect UNSC action on suspension “in the foreseeable future” and added that “there should be no impunity”.
Another US official echoed Khalilzad’s remarks.
“We strongly support holding accountable those who are responsible for genocide in Darfur,” Richard Grenell, spokesman for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, told The Associated Press on Monday.
The United Nations has said 300,000 people have died and more than 2.2 million been displaced. Khartoum puts the number of dead at 10,000.
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Akol Liai Mager
US hints at opposition to suspending ICC indictment of Sudan president
That will be great if US goverment use its Veto power to bolck any attemp to suspend ICC indictment of war criminal President Al Bashir.
Genocide victims must get someone to support them and bring them long awaited justice.
But I just doubt Conda.
Monye Jur
US hints at opposition to suspending ICC indictment of Sudan president
This is a good news, but a sad news to Al beshir and his allies such Rushia and China. Keep it up US, UK and France so that peace and justice must prefail in Darfur.
Daniel Kalaka
US hints at opposition to suspending ICC indictment of Sudan president
The US as to put much efforts to deal with such terrorist people who are speaking language of evil (dragon) by swearing that he will never and ever hand over any body for war crime against humanity.Let Mr marone Ocampo speed up the process of arrest warrant for this evil president in-human Ummara Bashir.then peace and justices will come to entire country ,bravo to US decision go ahead please!
Bior-Makech
US hints at opposition to suspending ICC indictment of Sudan president
I do appreciate those who support move taken by Icc rather than African Union decision.Bashir must see the ICC so that when he comes back, he can be a good preacher on what is done to those who practice injustice.
I would like to remove fear in you southerners because I have seen some people said when Bashir will be taken to court CPA will collapse, this is not true CPA was signed being witnessed by International Community, if CPA collapses of Bashir, it would have collapsed during the Death our Hero Dr who was also a key player to the CPA because he not present now to follow he signed.The same thing can happen other can run the government as our President Mayardit doing it now. Don’t listen to nonscence. US, UK and France keep on supporting ICC move.
Deng Chol Malual
US hints at opposition to suspending ICC indictment of Sudan president
The three veto powers are correctly right to support Bashire’s indictment.
In reality Bashire genocide can only be compared to HIV/AIDS cleansing in Africa.
The African Union are protecting what they are used to,and I believed they are hired casual labourers to be paid later by Bashire should they succeed.
There was no existed peace to be affected in Durfur and in the entire Sudan.
If Bashire is not a culprit then why protecting him rather than let him be prove innocent by the court of law.
Thanks.
cbhs
US hints at opposition to suspending ICC indictment of Sudan president
Yes! Bashir, the muslim dragon, our God is a living one; not dead like your satan, Mohamad. The creator has seen the agony of his people, the sudanese. And has visited us through his servants, who love justice like him, He is bringing his rule to sudan, not according to Mohamad but according to his love.
However the sudanese people would like to urge China and Russia to defend the truth. Do not trust your interest but trust the truth and the truth will set you free. Bashir as an individual will never liberate your economy. If you lose Bashir for justice embedded in the rights of the sudanese people, you will never jeopardize your booming economy. Seek for what makes you morally proud nation.
Nonetheless we believe in the power of the supernatural; the power which does the impossibility. Bashir will be put low; and the weak he has trodden over for ages will be exalted. And the blood of innocent people killed in Jebellen, 1992 Juba-massacre, Dhayeen etc will continue to cryout for justice.
Blessed be the supernatual power who fights for the rights of the normal people of the world.
So, keep it up ICC. Stand up and do the right thing. And China, Russia together with their allies in the UNSC should not give up justice for their belly, the economy.