US asks for separation between Darfur peacekeeping and Sudan’s Bashir indictment

July 31, 2008 (UNITED NATIONS) — United States raised a last minute objection to a compromise included in a project of resolution dealing the renewal of the hybrid peace mission in Darfur.

The compromise takes in consideration, concerns expressed by the African Union delegations, Libya and South African, that any indictment of Sudan President Omer al-Bashir by the International Criminal Court might jeopardize the Darfur peace process.

Accordingly, the resolution included a paragraph speaking about the deferral for one year of Bashir’s indictment by the Security Council in a separate resolution.

Washington said such language sends a wrong message to a president accused of “genocide”. The US envoy told the Council during the meeting that it is not appropriate to link between the peacekeeping operation and the issue of the ICC. He further said the indictment of Bashir had not yet been discussed by the 15-member body.

The US wants the UNSC to separate between UNAMID and ICC indictments.

(ST)