FACTBOX: Sudan political parties positions’ on ICC move against Bashir

Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM): The former southern rebel group and the main partner in the government of national unity have called on the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to challenge the ICC legally to avoid confrontation with the international community. However the SPLM chairman and 1st Vice President Salva Kiir recently shifted positions and warned of ICC indictment on the North-South peace agreement. He also disclosed that he urged the Bush administration to stall the ICC’s move.

The National Umma Party: The Umma party was one of the strongest and earliest supporters of the ICC since the UN Security Council (UNSC) referred the Darfur case to the Hague-based court. However following Bashir’s indictment the Umma party leader and former Prime Minister Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi criticized the court and its prosecutor for targeting a head of state. He proposed a hybrid court and called for a balance between refusing the handover of Bashir and ending impunity in Darfur.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP): The DUP has categorically refused any prosecution of Sudanese citizens at the ICC. Its leader Mohamed Osman Al-Mirghani vowed to stand by the Sudanese president against the indictment.

The Sudanese Communist Party (SCP): The SCP stated that it is supporting bringing justice to Darfur and called for legal action to diffuse the tension. There are conflicting views within the party on whether they approve of Bashir’s indictment.

The Popular Congress Party (PCP): The PCP leader Hassan Al-Turabi has publicly called on the Sudanese president to surrender himself to the ICC. Al-Turabi was arrested earlier this month following these remarks and remains in custody.

(ST)