9 March 2009 Special Edition

THE BIGGEST OF THE BIG NEWS: SUDAN

• The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir for crimes against humanity and war crimes regarding his actions in support of the civilian massacres in the Darfur region. This is the first time the court has issued warrants of arrest for a sitting head of state. (ICC)
• El-Bashir’s reaction has been to use this as an opportunity to criticize the West (primarily the US) and accuse the ICC, in conjunction with the West, of promoting neo-colonialism. He seems to be missing the point that many Sudanese also think his actions constitute war crimes (see below). (WP)
• But he did release one of his most prominent critics, who has been detained since January. (NYT)
• This seems to have prompted a backlash against NGO workers, which includes expelling entire NGOs from Darfur. (IRIN, WP, PRI)
• Hear what ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo has to say about the decision to issue the warrants here. (AI)
• 28 Darfuri women, meanwhile, welcome the issuance of warrants against el-Bashir and write a letter to Sudan and the international community to encourage advocates to protect civilians from the rampant sexual violence in Darfur. Read it here. (HRW)
• Read more “Voices of Sudan” here. (HRW)