Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir canceled a trip to Indonesia for the Asia-African leaders conference due to post-election engagements. This would have been his first trip outside Africa or the Middle East in nearly four years, sparking protests over his ICC arrest warrant for war crimes. Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs will lead the delegation instead, as rights groups welcomed the cancellation.
Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has abruptly canceled his planned visit to Indonesia, where he was set to attend the Asia-African leaders conference in Jakarta. The cancellation was confirmed by a government spokesman, who stated that the president was preoccupied with overseeing post-election operations. This trip was particularly noteworthy as it would have marked Bashir’s first official journey outside of Africa or the Middle East in nearly four years. Rights organizations had vigorously protested his potential attendance, calling for his arrest due to an outstanding warrant for war crimes issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2009. Instead of Bashir, Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs will represent the nation at the summit.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Omar Hassan al-Bashir in 2009, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity associated with the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region. Although Indonesia is not a member of the ICC, Bashir’s planned participation in the conference ignited opposition from human rights advocates concerned over his international legal status. Historically, Bashir has avoided travels to countries with active ICC memberships, opting instead for nations like Saudi Arabia and Nigeria where he has previously received no arrest warrant action.
In summary, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s last-minute cancellation of his trip to Indonesia highlights both his precarious international standing and the ongoing implications of his arrest warrant related to war crimes. The decision reflects the challenges faced by leaders with pending accusations in the international arena. As Sudan’s leadership shifts focus to domestic matters post-elections, Bashir’s limited travel options further underscore his status as a fugitive from international justice.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
