Backlash against Bashir

Last year the International Criminal Court (ICC) charged Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir with crimes against humanity and war crimes but did not charge him with genocide. Currently, ICC head prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo is appealing this decision, and if successful, Bashir would become the first sitting head of state to be charged with genocide. This controversy comes at a time of heightened instability in Sudan with the April 2010 elections quickly approaching. 

The purpose of such an indictment would be, in Moreno-Ocampo’s words, to bring justice to the victims in Darfur. The UN estimates that 35,000 have been killed while another 300,000 have died of causes relating to hunger and disease. Bashir and his government have repeatedly denied the charges, and are backed by the African and Arab Unions. Despite the charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes, Bashir has continued to live life as normal over the past year, and it remains to be seen whether the additional charge of genocide will change this situation.

The ICC does not have a police force to enforce the warrant that is out for Bashir’s arrest. However, in the complicated and fascinating world of international law, this charge could be groundbreaking.