Sudan president says reconciliation to precede justice
April 7, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir today promised to investigate and prosecute those suspected of committing war crimes in the conflict ridden region of Darfur.
However Bashir warned that any trials can only be commenced after reconciliation is achieved.
“After the reconciliation we will investigate those who are criminals and those who committed crimes and those who were killed and those who were killers. This is all guaranteed. Compensation will be paid. Everyone will get their right. This is justice” he told a rally in at the town of Zalingei in West Darfur.
Zalengi is the hometown of the chairman of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur, whose faction has remained adamant about achieving security on the ground before joining any peace talks.
Observers say that Al-Nur enjoys widespread popularity among the displaced Fur tribe population but Reuters said that streams of white-robed Darfuris rode past him on horses and camels.
On the edges on the crowd, people climbed trees and stood on the raised scoop of an industrial digger to get a better view.
But one of Zalingi’s residents told Sudan tribune by phone said that the crowds were rallied from outside town.
“We [Zalingi people] agreed to boycott the visit specially when we were planning to stage a demonstration against Bashir but UNAMID [peacekeepers] urged us to stand down and prevent loss of life in the event of clashes with police” the resident said asking not to be identified.
“We reject any talk of reconciliation by Bashir. Reconciliations are possible between tribes and not when the state directs its armed forces and militias against unarmed civilians. We want justice and trial of Bashir” he added.
The Sudanese president lashed out at the International Criminal Court (ICC) which last month issued an arrest warrant for him on seven counts war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“Judgment, it is not here [in this world]. It is not with Ocampo [ICC prosecutor] or others. Our judgment is before God” Bashir said.
He also praised the African Union (AU) panel headed by former South African leader Thabo Mbeki that is tasked with looking into ways to balance accountability with bringing peace into Darfur.
The panel, established last February, paid a visit to Sudan and met with Bashir as part of its fact-finding mission though the specifics of its work remain unclear.
“We thank the AU and the former presidents headed by Mbeki who came here … But we don’t want those Khawajas [Westerners]” Bashir told the crowd.
Sudan has refused to recognize jurisdiction of the ICC which was empowered to investigate the Darfur through a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution in March 2005.
A Darfur special prosecutor was appointed last year by Khartoum to probe right abuses committed in Darfur since 2003 but so far nothing has emerged on its findings.
A proposal for a hybrid court consisting of Sudanese, African and Arab judges was also rejected by Khartoum.
Bashir reiterated his position on the 13 foreign aid groups he expelled last month saying he will not reverse his decision.
“They [relief groups] were engaged in security activities and sabotage, and some had agreements with the ICC. Obviously, they have tasks and goals other than relief” he said
“We kicked them out and those we expelled will not be allowed to return…. we will give an immediate red card to those who want to stir and create confusion among us, those who want to become spies or distribute Bibles in Darfur” he Bashir added.
The UN Security Council (UNSC) urged Sudan to reconsider its expulsion decision but in a non-binding statement.
(ST)
Akol Liai Mager
Sudan president says reconciliation to precede justice
As I listen carefully to NIF Fugitive leader talks throughout all his internal or external trips, he mentioned no word about punishing those who committed crimes against human rights even by a slip of tongue.
In his talked yesterday in Darfur, he said; “looted properties, cattles, sheep, goats, those got killed will be compensated without elaborating how poor deads can best receive those compensations.
The fugitive didn’t think of what should victims ask for. He failed to acknowledged that the best way to heal crime wounds is to bring those responsible to justice. I understand that very few cirminals can take a humanise and courageous decision to hand themselves in and ask for forgiviness, so I hope NIF leaders may one day consider this option.
Saif El Hag
Sudan president says reconciliation to precede justice
Mr President, your are at the top of the list of those accused of war crimes in Darfur. Are you going to include your name with those you promise to investigate and prosecute..? If this happen that will be the most nobel thing you would have achieved in all your life as the president of Sudan.
Saif El Hag
ngor martyn jok
Sudan president says reconciliation to precede justice
It’s surely an ignominy to the person of Bashir ,a man who doesn’t realise his deeds.He has failed the state in all its years in many different ways.In all his interest,he dance for himself inorder to survive.He doesn’t see the hell he made for all Sudanese.Through out ,I pity those who feel to be leaders,who make it by all means to represent the nation without recognising and knowing their weakness.Mr.Bashir is the weakness man ever in leadership that I have ever seen-i can lie about it.
That was just to remind you of the fellow of Bashir.No good he will ever have for that nation.At all levels,he’s wrong ideas in looking at ways to have a better Sudan.
Now,he’s all decieving the people of Darfur to have an investigation of all the atrocities that he did himself.Again ,something really indeed funny that has never happen before,what reconciliation would you implore when you did a sort unhealing circumstances? Sure,that’s unbelievable.’Am very sure,that’s a miscarriage of justice.
Instead of standing with the ICC arrest warant from the likes of Ocampo,he’s lying about reconcliation that would precede justice.
If surely, he’s for justice why is he not facing the jurisdiction.There’s not compensation for the atrocities committed in Darfur ,unless he faces the international criminal court.
Funnily enough,he’s tuoring all places not knowing that,no one bother about him because he’s a criminal;only stressing the waiting rope in his neck.Believably, each day you won’t have such an adventure full of hopelessness in its sense,but you will come know as to why Saddaam Hussein died.
Lual Garang De Lual
Sudan president says reconciliation to precede justice
Did I hear that Mr. fugitive is promising the compensation of those properties looted, stolen cattle, burned houses and many more things destroyed in Darfur by his own militias (Janjaweed), popular defense force (PDF), National Intelligence Security Service (NISS)as well as the National army.
Mr. Field Marshal you have lost credibility among the Sudanese society except your closest friends of the regime like Field Marshal Salah Gosh, Nafie Ali Nafie, Osman Mohamed Taha, Mustafa Osman Ismail to mention but a few. Let me tell you that those who always shunt slogans against ICC for you are either bribed or forced to come out in your favour which will not keep you in power comes election. Majority of the Sudanese are fedup with your policies in this country.
I advise the NCP to change its policies before the election or it will be a disgrace to them. If you appolgise to the Sudanese people for the wrong you have done for the past twenty years, probably they may forgive you comes election.
Any form of compensation is first base in confession by the wrongdoer before the victim hence the victim has the right to forgive or not. It is not a matter of Bashire standing in front of the crowd he brutalised pretending to be a compensator without recognising the atrocities committed during his reign towards the people of Sudan in general and Darfur in particular.
Bashire I came to believe our African saying that what goes around comes around, here it elaborates that what you were intending for others has far comeback to you in person.It is clear that those who killed by sword will also be killed by the same sword. God willing we will wait to see if mankind was really created by God to be cared for in any circumstances as his image and likeness.
That situation will not be changed untill you Mr.fugitive appologize to the Sudanese in public rallies thereby we will be in a position to decide whether to accept compensation for whatever was lost.
Reconciliation to be preceded by justice is a wrong alternative, I would argue justice can be the first options to tell those victims that government is serious in following their cases. Here, it credits the government and builds confident of the victims, making them proud of their government standing against impunity. HERE, it isn’t the case because of the Arabs double standard and arrogant superiority towards the African tribes of Sudan.
Michel Fleury
Sudan president says reconciliation to precede justice
“We reject any talk of reconciliation by Bashir”
I don’t love Bashir.
But if Mr John Garang had not accepted to negotiate with the devil, there would be still a war in the South Sudan. And how many deaths more? To negotiate, it is always to talk with enemies, and not with friends.
Matiop Panchol
Sudan president says reconciliation to precede justice
Mr. President, make peace with Darfur rebels, hand over the Janjaweed leaders who killed civilians in Darfur for trial. Allow Sudanese judges, judges from other African countries and other international judges to try them.
Did you say that God the only one who judges? Well, Judgment Day is too far Mr. President for these cases. So hand the criminals over for “human judgement”.
Dinka Aliap Chawul
Sudan president says reconciliation to precede justice
Look at these fascist president!!.Who are they other heinous criminals more than you in Sudan? please dont disguise to be a good president instead you must go to the Hague and FACE YOUR MUSIC indefinitely.