Sudan political party commission call for martial law after Al-Bashir arrest warrant

August 24, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – The commission for political parties in Sudan called for authorizing the Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir to impose martial law if the International Criminal Court (ICC) judges issue an arrest warrant for him.

Aboud Gabir head of the commission told Sudan official news agency (SUNA) that martial law may be necessary “to prevent any infiltration that threatens the security situation in the country”.

The Sudanese constitution confers the power of declaring emergency law on Al-Bashir with the approval of his 1st Vice President Salva Kiir and the national assembly. The measures that can be taken during imposition of martial laws include “partial suspension of the bill of rights”.

The time period for the duration of martial laws is 30 days unless the Sudanese parliament approves an extension.

Gabir said that the Sudanese people “are now aware of the international conspiracy and utilizing international justice through the ICC”.

“The people of Sudan will not stand with their hands tied behind their backs in front of international injustice” he said.

He also called on Sudanese political parties to support the government of national unity “to build a strong Sudan”.

The ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo asked pre-trial judges in mid-July 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.

(ST)