Sudanese ICC indicted minister says aid groups working for US, UK, French intelligence

March 22, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — A Sudanese minister wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his alleged role Darfur war crimes defended his government’s decision to expel more than a dozen aid groups from Darfur.

“These groups proved that they are doing little humanitarian work and a lot of intelligence activity that is harmful to Sudan’s national security” Ahmed Haroun, state minister for humanitarian affairs told the London based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat in an interview.

Asked about which intelligence organizations these relief groups work for, Haroun noted that they are “American, British and French” organizations.

The Sudanese official accused the spy agencies in these three Western countries of “involvement” in the work of these groups.

Immediately after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir, the government expelled 13 aid groups from the country, a decision that affects the UN most important humanitarian operation in the world.

Khartoum alleged that the foreign NGOs were cooperating with the ICC in its investigations on Darfur crimes. But the ICC prosecutor vehemently denied the claim.

Haroun said that the relief groups were “fabricating reports on Sudan’s situation, making up evidence and figures to supply the ICC with it”.

“They are also creating a split in Darfur’s social fabric and providing military, information and logistical support to Darfur rebel groups” he added.

Sudan’s move drew international outcry and criticism even from Sudan’s allies in the UN Security Council (UNSC) including Uganda and Burkina Faso. However Khartoum insisted that it will not revoke the expulsion order.

Haroun who was indicted by the ICC in April 2007 said that he is “leading a normal life” and that the people of Sudan view him as a “national hero”. He said that he is being targeted for political reasons and dismissed speculations that he might be extradited or assassinated.

The former state minister for interior also disclosed that he has traveled “many times” since the arrest warrant was issued for him but provided no details.

The Hague based court has said that in December 2007 they planned to divert a plane, with support of unspecified number of countries, carrying Haroun on his way to Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

Haroun was reportedly tipped off and he got off the plane.

The ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo accused Haroun of working to hinder assistance to Darfur displaced in his current position.

The ICC charged Haroun along with militia leader Ali Kushayb on 51 counts of crime against humanity and war crimes in April 2007. Sudan has refused to hand the pair over saying it does not recognize the jurisdiction of the court.

(ST)