Sudan regrets statements by JEM leader on attacks to topple Bashir
February 24, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan regretted statements made by the leader of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement where he pledged to carry out more attacks to topple the government of President Omer Al-Bashir if the International Criminal Court (ICC) decides to issue an arrest warrant for him.
“When this warrant comes it is, for us, the end of Bashir’s legitimacy to be President of Sudan” Khalil Ibrahim, told The Times today. “We will work hard to bring him down … If he doesn’t co-operate with the ICC the war will intensify.”
The Justice and Equality Movement signed a goodwill agreement with the Sudanese government brokered by the Qatari government and the joint mediator in Doha on February 17. The deal was destined to create conducive environment before peace talks but didn’t include a truce.
Sammani Wassila, the state minister at the foreign ministry said today that the negative remarks attributed to Khalil Ibrahim, if they are true, would not push forward the spirit of peace and goodwill.
He added that the government was confident that Ibrahim would act to achieve peace in the country, as that is the responsibility of the government and the movements in order to achieve the country’s development
He further appealed personally to the rebel leader to work seriously to end the Darfur crisis and ensure the stability in the troubled region to allow the return of displaced persons and refugees to their villages.
Before the signing of the confidence building accord, the rebel movement vowed to attack strategic cities including the capital as it did in May 2008 when it raided the capital.
The ICC judges said yesterday they would decide on March 4 whether to issue an arrest for the Sudanese President or not. The court made this unprecedented move after press reports saying the judges had already decide to respond positively to the prosecutor request.
In mid-July the ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno- Ocampo filed 10 charges against Al-Bashir: three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder and accused Al-Bashir of masterminding a campaign to get rid of the African tribes in Darfur; Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa.
(ST)