Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir has been charged with the crime of genocide by the International Criminal Court. Okay, maybe this doesn't mean nothing. At least a charge from an objective international justice system will put to rest any remaining doubt that the Sudanese Government is in fact systematically exterminating certain members of its country.
But what will this charge of genocide, encouraged by ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, actually do? Not much for now. The ICC judges have said they will begin reviewing the evidence, but the process could take months. Meanwhile, 2.5 million Darfuris have been displaced from their homes and are eking out an existence in IDP camps, under the care of international aid groups. 300,000 Darfuris have already died at the hands of the Janjaweed.
In addition, the Sudanese Government is already contesting the charge. Aside of course from the often-used accusations that the ICC allegations are politically motivated, Sudan is not a member of the ICC, and therefore cannot be brought to trial without its own consent.
If el-Bashir were to cross an international border, however, he could be extradited and it would be a different story.
In addition, Sudanese women demonstrated against the ICC's decision in front of the UN Headquarters today in New York. I can merit a guess as to why they would feel the need to defend a president who has flattened the majority of their country for the sake of businessmen and elites in Khartoum, but I have no real answers. Read the article.
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