Sudan ex-PM defends Darfur initiative, calls for ICC deferral
October 29, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – The leader of the largest Northern opposition party in Sudan defended the new initiative launched by president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir aimed at resolving the Darfur crisis.
“I can safely say that the fears of those who did not attend the forum and parties opposed to it were not real” Al-Mahdi said.
“They had 3 concerns…that this gathering is of face value with no mandate…that any resolution would be passed automatically by the National Congress Party (NCP) majority…that the forum was held for the sake of the NCP. All their reservations are meaningless now” he added.
The deliberations of the forum that was held in the town of Kenana in White Nile focused on ways to restore the authority of law, consolidation of peace process, ensure the return of IDP’s and refugees and to avoid resort to military means to resolve divergences.
The forum elected the chairpersons of seven panels of the consultations.
Darfur rebel movements and some opposition parties boycott the consolations. The rebels accuse Khartoum of trying to divert the international community and delay the resolution of the conflict. Others political parties speak about prefixed resolutions and blame government for ignoring them.
Today Sudan announced that the recommendations of the forum that were supposed to be unveiled on October 30 would be delayed.
Al-Mahdi accused certain parties of wanting to complicate Sudan’s problems and not solve it.
“They think that the issue of Darfur and the International Criminal Court (ICC) should be used for regime change. Any solution in Sudan through clashes and confrontation will turn the country into another Somalia” the Umma leader said.
In mid-July the ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo announced that he is seeking an arrest warrant for Al-Bashir.
The ICC’s prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo filed 10 charges: three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder. In early October ICC judges have officially started reviewing the case in a process that could possibly drag on to next year.
The opposition leader has previously been one of the supporters of the ICC. However following the indictment of Al-Bashir he appeared to have shifted his position.
He called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to defer the ICC prosecution for one year “to give a chance to change some factors”.
Al-Mahdi stressed that he still wants the ICC to continue working the Darfur case and expand its mandate to prosecute those who carry out military coups against democratically elected governments.
The Umma chief criticized the ICC prosecutor saying he relied on second hand information without going to Darfur.
Khartoum has said that the ICC’s investigation is lacking because it was not conducted inside Darfur. However Ocampo said that security situation on the ground does not enable him to protect witnesses in Darfur.
The ICC prosecutor said he screened 600 potential witnesses in 18 countries out of which only a 100 were identified to provide testimonies. This is in addition to report provided by the UN Commission of Inquiry and other sources.
Al-Mahdi was ousted as prime minister in a bloodless military coup in 1989 by President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and has been one of the most outspoken critics of the government ever since. However lately he has taken a more favorable position towards the government saying the latter became more accepting of other political parties.
Last May the Umma party and NCP signed an agreement last week better known as “National Reconciliation Agreement” which largely outlines a number of fundamental principles that both sides share the same views on.
The agreement was criticized by other opposition parties and even members of the Umma party.
(ST)
Akol Liai Mager
Sudan ex-PM defends Darfur initiative, calls for ICC deferral
That means “Birds of the same feathers flock together”
Mr Sadiq Al Sidi is also guilty of three genocide cases two in 1960s in Malakal and wau and one in 1986 El Dhein Massacre.
I think Mr El Sidiq is worried about being betrayed by Al Bashir for his role even in Darfur genocide if ICC judges issue the arrest warrant, Al Bashir handed himself over to ICC or handed over by Sudanese because one of these two scenarios will happen whether Al Bashir,NIF and their friends want it or not. So I am not surprise for Al Sidiq latest move.
Sadiq is trying to dig tunnels for a come back and that is a day time dream for him.
Atenymaker
Sudan ex-PM defends Darfur initiative, calls for ICC deferral
Ha ha ah!
Akol Liai, nice, but not only that Sadig maybe digging a grave to his enemy lastly he recognized being his own son as they say back-up your fellow muslem brother whether he is guilt or inocent.
For sure northern elite know very well that there is no wayout for thier own dugged graves, the reason behind is that they don’t want us to enjoy sudan as they have done but ruin for good to all.
History is counting on every Sudanese rether then fake sudanese whose days are numered; coming to an end.
NB: to ex-MP and NCP: Darfurian, Nuba, South Sudanese, Funj, are your masters. They are the heart of African Heroes known of their wisdom, couragious,justice, and ethinicity. You just a spoil greedy and glutony. Go to hell if you don’t want us.