Sudan warns Darfur peacekeepers of popular anger

January 22, 2009 (EL FASHER) – Sudan has warned the hybrid peacekeeping mission of the possible negative impact of a decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) judges against the Sudanese President.

The ICC judges are expected to issue an arrest warrant for the President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir following his indictment by the chief prosecutor for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes last July.

On the request of the North Darfur State Governor where are the UNMAID headquarters, the deputy head of the peacekeeping mission, Henry Anyidoho, met with the Governor Osman Mohamed Yousef Kibir on Thursday.

Kibir, during the meeting warned that in case the ICC issues an arrest warrant against the President Al-Bashir, “the government would not be able to forecast or control the popular reactions throughout the country.”

However the governor assured that Sudanese government is aware of the difference between the ICC and the UN.

He stressed that the Sudanese government “does not hold UNAMID responsible for the possible motion by the ICC against the President of Sudan nor does it accuse the Mission of any collaboration with the ICC.”

The Wali assured of the support of the Government of Sudan for the full deployment of UNAMID and the government’s resolve and complete readiness to conclude its measures to help and maintain the safety and security of UNAMID personnel and property.

Last July, a presidential adviser spoke about the probable expulsion of the UNAMID if Al Bashir is indicted by the world court but the government swiftly denied any trend to ask the peacekeepers to withdraw from Darfur.

But one month later, Al-Bashir told the Dubai based Al-Arabiya TV that he will not allow UNAMID to stay if the Judges approve the ICC’s prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo charges he filed against the Sudanese head of state.

UN Security Council adopted resolution 1769 on July 31st which authorized a hybrid UN-AU force (UNAMID) consisting of 26,000 troops and police but one year after it only has some 14,000 personnel and still suffers from the lack of crucial equipments and planes.

(ST)