Sudan

ICC calls for arrest of President al-Beshir

Article published on the 2008-07-14 Latest update 2008-07-21 07:40 TU

Luis Moreno Ocampo

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has formally called for the arrest of Sudan's President Omar al-Beshir for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Khartoum quickly rejected the accusations were, as concerns grow for humanitarian workers and diplomats in Darfur and the capital.

The ICC formally announced on Monday that it would seek the arrest of Sudan's president on ten counts.

"The decision to start the genocide was taken by al-Beshir personally," said ICC Chief Prosecuter Luis Moreno-Ocampo. "In March 2003 al-Beshir decided and set out to destroy in part the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa.

"Al-Beshir assesed that the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa constitued a threat to his power. Members of these ethnic groups engage in armed rebellions. So al-Beshir's motive was power control but his intent was genocide."

The prosecutors office said there were "reasonable grounds" to believe that al-Beshir is responsible for "ten counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes".

Sudan reacted to the annoucement by saying that it was "opposed to the ICC" and that it would "reject any decision" by the court. The cabinet met yesterday to consider the possibility of an ICC call for prosecution. Sudan had already asked the Arab League to hold crisis talks on the question. It announced today that it would meet on Saturday 19 July.

The announcement comes after the African Union's Peace and Security Council warned against an approach to Sudan that would "impede or jeopardize efforts aimed at promoting lasting peace".

The Organisation of the Islamic Conference has warned of "grave ramifications". Last weekend the United Nations raised its security level for workers in the Darfur region.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner urged Beshir on Monday to respect the decisions of the ICC.