Sudanese rebels urge Arab League to revoke Bashir’s invitation
March 23, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) called on the Arab League to revoke its invitation to the Sudanese president Omer Al-Bashir to attend the 24th summit of the regional organisation.
Bashir is expected to travel to the Qatar’s capital, Doha, to take part in the two-day summit which will begin on 26 March. On 10 March he officially received a written invitation from the Emir of Qatar and accept it.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued two arrest warrants against the president Bashir on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur, but the Arab League refuse to cooperate with the court.
“We, in the Sudanese Revolutionary Front, demand the Arab League to cancel its invitation to the Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir to attend the Arab summit” because he is sought by the ICC said Gibril Ibrahim, JEM leader and SRF deputy chairman for foreign affairs.
Ibrahim underlined they were encouraged by the Arab League support to popular uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria adding they hope this recent change is not a selective position.
Following the issuance of the arrest warrant against Bashir in March 2009, the Arab League and the African Union condemned the ICC decision and demanded the UN. Security Council to freeze it.
Also the two regional bodies coordinated their efforts to end Darfur conflict and pushed Sudan to accept a new peace process that Qatar proposed to host.
(ST)