Sudan’s SPLM says CPA will not be impacted by Bashir arrest warrant
January 31, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The southern Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) called on its partner in the government to “act with calm” if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue an arrest warrant for president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir.
“I don’t think an indictment or anything else can prevent or obstruct implementation of the CPA” Amum said, referring to the peace accord which ended Sudan’s north-south civil war and led to a unity government being formed.
Amum also called on the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to cooperate with the ICC on a legal basis and “avoid confrontation with the international community” to preserve the country “from collapse and dangers”.
Sudan is in a state of high alert for a decision by the ICC judges on ten counts presented by prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo in mid-July against president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir that include three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder.
Ocampo accused Al-Bashir of masterminding a campaign to get rid of the African tribes in Darfur; Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa.
Following the ICC move the SPLM has urged the NCP to manage the issue from a legal basis. However in the last few weeks the SPLM chairman warned of the dangers of the indictment on the implementation of the CPA.
Sudanese political parties have rallied behind Bashir with the exception of the Popular Congress Party (PCP) leader Hassan Al-Turabi who called on the president to turn himself in to The Hague based court.
Some observers in Khartoum told Sudan Tribune that Amum’s remarks imply a division within the SPLM leadership on their ICC stance suggesting that Kiir wants it aligned with that of the NCP.
It is likely that the SPLM official’s statement will infuriate the NCP. Bashir has ordered a probe last year with Amum who was the cabinet affairs minister for calling Sudan a ‘failed state’.
Amum said that any “reckless” reaction will “make things worst” in Sudan and may put the country on the path of Somalia and former Yugoslavia. He also warned the NCP from using the ICC confrontation as an excuse to crack down on political freedoms.
The SPLM official also denied any plans by his movement to announce a unilateral independence if Bashir is officially charged by The Hague based court.
The landmark peace deal which was signed in 2005provides for referendum on self-determination in 2011 by the people of Southern Sudan to vote for unity of the country or secession.
(ST)