Omar al-Bashir Archive

Bookmark and Share

Harassment & Torture in Advance of the Elections

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Reports are coming out of Sudan of intimidation, harassment and violent repression – leading up to the first nationally contested elections in 24 years.  From the crackdown on protesters and opposition leaders in December to more recent detentions and abuses documented by Human Rights Watch and The Carter Center, political and personal freedoms are under assault in Sudan.

Earlier this week, a student with the Girifna movement was detained and tortured in Khartoum.

Girifna held a press conference in which Mahdi, the detained student, detailed his detention (in Arabic) and the organization has more information on their site (also in Arabic).

The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies released the following statement in response:

ACJPS Condemns the Silencing of Political Activists

On 15 March, Abdallah Mahdi Badawi, an 18 year old accounting student at Ahlei University and member of Girifna was detained and tortured in Khartoum. Girifna is an election and civic education campaign started by Sudanese youth during the registration period, and is colloquial Arabic for “we are fed up”. The movement is calling for free and fair elections, and uses orange as its signature color to signify its commitment to nonviolence and peaceful democratic change.

That afternoon, Mahdi received a call from “Hassan”, one of the newest members of Girifna. Hassan requested that Mahdi meet him at Khartoum University. When Hassan did not arrive, Mahdi entered the University; however, Hassan called moments later and the two met. Hassan was accompanied by another young man, and the three walked to a local café to discuss Girifna activities and plans. On their way, in an empty alley behind the café, Hassan and the other man pulled out pistols and forced Mahdi to follow them to an office.  He was taken to a small room which had photos of Salah Gosh (the former Director of the National and Intelligence and Security Services, NISS) and tortured. He was beaten by 13 men with sticks, hoses, and electric wires, and interrogated as to the Girifna movements’ activities and sources of funding, and was taunted as to what he was “fed up” about. The agents placed a pistol near his head and pretended to squeeze the trigger, and threatened to make him drink a liquid that they claimed had a virus that would kill him. Mahdi was told that they were the same people who had killed Mohamed Musa, the Darfuri student found murdered in Omdurman in February.

(more…)

Bookmark and Share

Bashir’s Curious Peace

Friday, March 5th, 2010
Jebel Marra by Matt Powell

Darfur's tumultous Jebel Marra region/ Photo: Matt Powell Humanitarian Photography

At a speech last week in the North Darfur capital of El Fashir President Omar al-Bashir confidently announced that “the crisis in Darfur is finished; the war in Darfur is over. Darfur is now at peace”. Bashir echoed a similarly misguided claim made last August by the outgoing head of UNAMID, shortly before a series of renewed clashes and violent attacks against his own troops.

Bashir appears to have a skewed definition of peace, as certain areas of Darfur have since January been consistently beset by fighting, which seems to be escalating.

Despite progress toward a ceasefire between the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), the areas around Jebel Moun and Jebel Marra remain highly volatile.

This past week, the increasingly violent clashes between SLM-AW and Sudan Armed Forces in Deribat have caused mass displacement and an estimated 140-400 civilian casualties. There has been no international assistance available to the victims in the Jebel Marra region after Médecins du Monde was forced out last week.

The SLM-AW leader Abdel Wahid al-Nur called the Doha framework “ceremonial,” adding that his movement wants “a genuine peace realizing the demands of Darfur people who are suffering in camps since seven years after losing their relatives and homes”. However, al-Nur has refused to be a part of any peace negotiations and the SLM-AW has in some recent cases exacerbated the security and humanitarian situation in parts of Darfur by restricting peacekeeping and aid access.

JEM condemned the escalating hostilities in a statement on February 28th denouncing:

“the exploitation by Khartoum regime of a ceasefire outlined in the Framework Agreement signed with the Movement on February 23, 2010 to launch a sweeping attack on the positions of resistance in the Jebel Marra and to bomb peaceful villages and kill unarmed civilians.”

The Department of State and UNAMID both issued statements on Tuesday urging the SLA/AW and the Government of Sudan to refrain from further aggression. UNAMID also announced that it will be taking further measures to verify the reports of violence in the region, but an investigative patrol heading to Deribat over the weekend was ambushed. The peacekeeping personnel were held over night and major assets seized by the attackers. It remains to be seen whether the newly arrived tactical helicopters will enhance the mission’s ability to address the insecurity in the mountainous region.

Recent background

Renewed fighting between SLM-AW and SAF troops flared up last July after their forces clashed in Nertiti and re-emerged from September 2-17th primarily in Korma where 18 civilians were killed and over 31,000 were displaced. For the remainder of the year the situation in Jebel Marra relatively stabilized with conflict on a smaller scale, until January 13th when the SLM-AW attacked Gulu the capital of Jebel Marra in response to earlier bombings on rebel positions. Intense clashes have continued throughout January and February, and on February 13th and 14th government troops attempted to re-take Aradyeb Al-Asharah. The SLM-AW was able to maintain control but SAF forces made a second offense attempt on the town on February 24-25th which according to rebel commander Nourredine Janga, “40 people were killed and 28 young girls and 8 women were raped”. Since January fighting has occurred elsewhere in Jebel Marra region including Kadmir, Lidy, Fugly, Dogo and Kotor.

Increasing amounts of civilians have been displaced due to intense fighting this past week with additional 40,000 civilians displaced from Deribat without any support from international aid organizations who have also fled the region. Another 5,400 civilians from Jebel Marra have been displaced to Nierteti and UNAMID estimated that 1,500 civilians have been displaced to Thur.

Shannon Orcutt is a policy intern at the Save Darfur Coalition.

Bookmark and Share

Bashir’s at My Hotel, and I am Getting Out of Here

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
Bashir

President al-Bashir at a rally in 2009/Photo: Reuters

My colleagues Jerry Fowler and Mark Lotwis left Sudan last Friday heading back to Washington.  In order to set up a few more meetings in the South, I stayed on in Juba. Little did we know, President Omar al-Bashir and his entourage of advisors and security agents would be coming to town—and staying in the same modest hotel as the Save Darfur delegation, in the very wing where Jerry had been sleeping.

Over the weekend, I had heard that Bashir would be traveling to Juba and a few other towns in the South to campaign.  In my mind, I imagined a quick dash by motorcade from the airport to a rally in Juba and then a few darts by plane to some other choice locations in the Greater Equatoria states.

So I was quite surprised when early Monday afternoon, I was confronted by a newly erected roadblock in front of my hotel.  Initially, the mix of police and security officials told me that I could not pass. When I explained that I was staying at the hotel beyond their checkpoint, they quickly scanned my backpack and then gave me strict instructions on how to walk to the next crowd of security personnel suddenly stationed in front of hotel gate.  After another round of negotiations that involved coaxing hotel staff out to verify my claims, I was finally permitted to enter the foyer—where I was promptly urged by a security guard to take my room key and, like a misbehaving child, go straight to my room.

About an hour later, I returned to reception to ask about the “protocol” and restrictions in place due to the arrival of the special guest from Khartoum.  The staff assured me that the security had overreacted in the first few hours and gave me a stamped pass that would allow me to go and come as I please. Thus far, I have not faced any further issues – other than that inescapable locked-down feeling of any setting where men with guns sit and stand around every entrance and exit, looking all-too-bored for any by-stander’s comfort.

Ironically enough, I did not have to leave the hotel to watch Bashir’s political rally. My window afforded a partial view of the stadium.  I could not make out the words of his speech, but at times I could hear the crowd break out with a chant of “Salaam, Oyay” (Peace, Yes!).

Maggie Fick of the ENOUGH Project was inside the stadium and reported on the climate.

Papers the next day quoted Bashir as making an economic case for unity. He argued that Sudan’s economy could expand by a higher percent if all efforts are exerted to end political tensions:

“that have encouraged nothing than regional wars and displacement of inhabitants…To experience real growth and success in the war against poverty, we must get our act together on two fronts…[O]ur politics must promote political stability and public confidence in the future of our country.”

Bashir, dressed down in a short sleeve shirt, treated the crowd to some interesting campaign rhetoric, such as “We will cut off every hand attempting to disrupt peace.” He also promised to celebrate with the people of the South after the referendum, whether they chose unity or secession.

(more…)

Bookmark and Share

Beja Civil Society Demonstrates at Sudanese Embassy

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Protestors outside the Sudanese Embassyin Washington, DC on January 29, 2010

My Friday afternoon interning at the Save Darfur Coalition took an unusual twist when I was asked to attend a demonstration to commemorate the Anniversary of the massacre in Port Sudan of the Sudanese Beja people. After bundling up and trying to brace myself for the freezing cold weather, I arrived at the Sudanese embassy both surprised and impressed by the event taking place. Despite the frigid conditions and the fact that it was a Friday afternoon, there were more than a dozen demonstrators making their voices heard. The protesters spoke eloquently and forcefully through a megaphone, declaring that justice would be served and that the Sudanese regime’s crimes against humanity would not be overlooked.

The demonstrators main objective was to provide a voice for the Beja people – a political group comprised of various ethnic clans in Eastern Sudan – who have been historically marginalized. As they chanted “Long live Beja People, Long live The Sudanese Marginalized People,” I was inspired by their passion and dedication. In a situation as volatile as Sudan’s, it is extremely comforting to meet people who are dedicated to creating a sustainable peace in this war torn nation.

Bookmark and Share

Sudanese demonstrators arrested – call the White House

Monday, December 7th, 2009

This morning in Khartoum, “Riot police arrested two senior members of south Sudan’s main party and their supporters who turned out to demonstrate outside Sudan’s parliament on Monday in defiance of an official ban, a witness and officials said.”

Reports indicate that Yasir Arman, a senior member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) was beaten while in custody.

Jerry Fowler, President of the Save Darfur Coalition, said:

“The demonstrators were rallying peacefully to change laws in Sudan that currently prohibit them from speaking freely and expressing their opposition to the Bashir regime.  The government’s thuggish response demonstrates why that change is necessary. The Obama administration has said little about the political environment necessary for free and fair elections in Sudan – choosing to focus on the technicalities of the process rather than the ongoing repressive environment in Sudan. These events make clear that, for all its rhetoric over the last few months, the Bashir government will not tolerate peaceful dissent in Sudan nor is it willing to create the conditions necessary for credible elections in April.”

Read the Save Darfur Coalition’s official statement

President Obama must condemn this repression by the Sudanese government.  Call the White House at 202.456.1111 or 202.456.1414.  A sample script is below.

Hi, I’m _(Name)_

I’m calling to ask that President Obama publically condemn the violent actions committed by the Bashir regime and his National Congress Party against the peaceful demonstrators in Sudan earlier today. Now is the time for President Obama to show that he does care about the people of Sudan and their human rights.  Now is the time for the administration to call unequivocally for a dramatic change in the political environment in Sudan to allow for free and fair elections in April 2010.

I ask that President Obama turn his words into action. He recently described America as a nation that will “speak out on behalf of human rights” and “tend to the light of freedom” – this is on his watch now.

Thank you.

Bookmark and Share

How Many Rifles Can an Airbus Hold: China Streamlining Genocide

Monday, November 16th, 2009
With flights from Khartoum to Beijing running direct, illicit weapons trading finds easier route

With flights from Khartoum to Beijing running direct, illicit weapons trading finds easier route

China, an instrumental supporter of Omar al-Bashir and his murderous regime, proudly announced a new flight direct from Beijing to Khartoum earlier this week. The flight, provided by Hainan Airlines, China’s largest privately-owned air transport company, is launching its maiden direct flight between Beijing and the Sudanese capital next Tuesday. Interestingly, the Beijing-Khartoum flight is Hainan’s second to Africa – the first was a flight to Luanda, Angola…..another of the continent’s top oil-producing countries. These flights are clearly about business.

Additionally, the timing is interesting in terms of the priorities it reveals. Hainan only has one North American destination in service: Seattle. The Khartoum route service coincides with approval to begin a second North American route to Honolulu. That’s two American routes for one Sudanese route….Furthermore Hainan has only two current destinations in Western Europe: Brussels and Berlin, with a bid for Dusseldorf. It has five routes to Russia, no stranger to illicit arms deals with Sudan.

So what’s the big deal? Well, aviation links between China and Sudan deserve extra scrutiny. Why? Because first, the illegal deployment of aviation assets was a major factor in violation of the Sudan arms embargo as cited by the United Nations Panel of Experts report released last month. Further, private companies have been central to these violations, and many have been nonresponsive or uncooperative toward the panel’s inquiries. Finally, the vast majority of ammunition and weapons found in Darfur, POST-EMBARGO, were manufactured by Chinese companies in China. That means that military materiel was illegally transported from China to Sudan somehow.  The report calls for greater transparency and accountability in their movement, citing:

(more…)

Bookmark and Share

Our Activists and Omar al-Bashir’s Travel Arrangements

Monday, November 9th, 2009

As of Saturday morning, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was 100 percent committed to traveling to Turkey. Bashir, an indicted war criminal wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, was scheduled to arrive in Turkey on Sunday for a Monday summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

Turkey, for some reason, did not initially feel compelled to prevent a war criminal from planting his feel on their soil. However, that didn’t prevent the Save Darfur Coalition and hundreds of committed activists from mobilizing.

As reported in the Christian Science-Monitor, the Save Darfur Coalition was planning an large action at the Turkish Embassy in Washington, DC. The action – a gathering of students, activists and Sudanese expats – was organized to pressure Turkey into not letting Bashir travel to their country. We planed on delivering handcuffs to the Turkish government and demanding that if Bashir made it into their country that they immediately place him under arrest and ship him to The Hague.

Well, Omar al-Bashir didn’t go to Turkey, he didn’t even get wheels up out of Sudan. Omar al-Bashir remains an outlaw, stymied by the ICC and on the run from justice. Hopefully, his days as the leader of Sudan are drawing to a close, and a new day for the people of Sudan is on the horizon.

Bookmark and Share

Bashir cancels visit to OIC Summit in Turkey

Monday, November 9th, 2009
Omar al-Bashir

Omar al-Bashir

Late last week, it looked like Sudanese President al-Bashir would successfully travel to Turkey to attend the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Summit yesterday and today. Turkish officials had initially declared they had no plans to arrest al-Bashir, and had seemingly rebuffed attempts by European Union representatives to persuade them otherwise.

But on Sunday, the news broke that al-Bashir had cancelled his trip at the last minute, with Sudan’s state-run news agency Suna reporting that “new developments” required Bashir’s presence in Sudan. The Save Darfur Coalition’s president Jerry Fowler responded with the following statement:

“Omar al-Bashir’s eleventh-hour cancellation of his trip to Turkey underscores his increasing isolation from the international community. It should be more clear than ever to Bashir’s allies that his inability to attend multi-lateral meetings is both a practical burden and an embarrassment. And if those around him do not want to end up in a similar situation, they should work quickly to bring peace to Darfur, fully implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and cooperate with the International Criminal Court.”

It is likely that quiet pressure from the EU – and perhaps quieter pressure from the US – helped convince Turkey that welcoming al-Bashir was not worth angering its Western allies. Warnings to Turkey of the consequences of allowing Bashir to visit came not only from the Save Darfur Coalition and its partners, and international groups like Human Rights Watch – which warned Turkey stood to see its international image “plummet” – but also from Turkish civil society.

On Friday, the 16 civil society organizations forming the Coalition for the International Criminal Court Turkey called on the country’s leaders not to permit al-Bashir to enter Turkey for the OIC meeting, or to arrest and hand him over to the ICC. The Turkish coalition’s coordinator Ozlem Altiparmak warned that “Turkey could see a backlash in public opinion and from civil-society groups if it fails to act while he is here.”

As my colleague Sean Brooks highlighted in his recent blog on a possible “shell game” being played by African States Parties to the ICC, this was not the first time al-Bashir’s international travel plans have changed at the last minute. As he prepares to represent his party in the upcoming Sudanese national elections, al-Bashir needs to demonstrate that he can carry out the full functions of his position – even as an indicted war criminal. Therefore, he will likely continue attempting to travel internationally beyond the states that form his small circle of remaining allies.

The uproar that contributed to this week’s cancellation should underscore to all states – whether party to the ICC, or, non-states parties like Turkey – the undesirable consequences of being seen to consider allowing a fugitive from international justice safe haven on their soil.

Bookmark and Share

Sudan’s Search for a Lobbyist

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

This morning, The Washington Post’s Dan Eggen reported:

A prominent Democratic fundraiser and ally of Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) is attempting to secure a lobbying contract with the pariah regime in Sudan, which has embarked on an aggressive effort to enlist U.S. support against allegations of genocide and war crimes.

It’s not surprising that Khartoum is trying every way it can to buy influence in Washington.  What’s appalling is that it can find takers.  The lobbyist Bob Crowe makes it sound as if Khartoum would pay him to influence it, rather than the U.S. government.  That is absurd on its face. It is shameful that any U.S. firm would want to do the bidding of an indicted war criminal.

The government of Sudan should stop looking for shadowy ways to buy influence and start making concrete and lasting progress toward securing peace and security in Darfur, fully implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), and implementing fundamental political reforms that allow freedom of speech, association and movement in advance of the national elections scheduled for April 2010. Khartoum can spend millions on lobbyists, but this issue won’t go away until the millions of Darfuris can return home. In the meantime, Khartoum should be spending its resources on aiding IDPs, not buying influence in Washington.

The influence-buying efforts that have been revealed through the Washington Post’s reporting beg the question of how much has not been uncovered.  Who else is working on Khartoum’s behalf that we don’t know about?

Bookmark and Share

Bashir Replaces Intelligence Chief

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Yesterday, Sudan’s official news agency reported that President Omar al-Bashir had dismissed Salah Ghosh, head of the country’s National Intelligence and Security Services. Here is a little background:

WHO IS GHOSH
Major General Salah Abdallah Ghosh was the director of the Sudanese government’s National Security and Intelligence Services and is a senior figure in the National Congress Party (NCP). He has been part of the NCP’s inner circle since President Omar al-Bashir engineered their rise to power via a coup d’etat in 1989 (the NCP was then known as the National Islamist Front, but later changed its name).

INSIDE POLITICS
Since the International Criminal Court’s indictment of Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur there has been much speculation about internal divisions within Bashir’s own ruling party, the NCP. The ouster of Ghosh may be an outcome of these internal divisions between the moderate and hard-line wings of the ruling regime as they continue to debate how to confront the international community regarding the ongoing crisis in Darfur and its obstructions to the full implementation of the fraying Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed with the Southern People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

ROLE IN DARFUR
A regime hardliner, Ghosh has been accused of playing a significant role in perpetrating the genocide in Darfur since 2003. In January 2006, the United Nations Panel of Experts included him on an initial list of 17 individuals who committed violations of international and human rights law in Darfur and were responsible for impeding the peace process.

RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CIA
Despite these accusations, Ghosh has recently had a close relationship with the American intelligence community. In 2005, it was reported that the Central Intelligence Agency flew Ghosh to Langley, Virginia to discuss the Sudanese government’s support in the US “war on terror.” Ghosh’s role as Osama bin Laden’s “minder” during the al-Qaeda’s leader’s stay in Sudan during the mid-1990s was no doubt an important topic of discussion.

Donate Now to the Save Darfur Coalition

 Subscribe in a reader

.