US welcomes Sudan decision to send ex-president Bashir to ICC

'We do welcome the reconfirmation by the (cabinet) of its intention to hand over former president Bashir and other former officials wanted by the ICC for crimes in Darfur,' State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.

World

2 min read

The New Arab Staff & Agencies

11 August, 2021

Sudan will hand Bashir over to the International Criminal Court, the country's foreign minister said on Wednesday [Getty]

The United States on Wednesday praised Sudan's decision to hand over ex-dictator Omar Al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court, saying the move would be a "major step" in the country's democratic transition.

"We do welcome the reconfirmation by the (cabinet) of its intention to hand over former president Bashir and other former officials wanted by the ICC for crimes in Darfur," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.

"We urge Sudan to continue to cooperate with the ICC by handing over those subject to arrest warrants and by cooperating on the provision of the request of evidence."

"Doing so would be a major step for Sudan in the fight against decades of impunity."

#OmarAl-Bashir has been wanted by the International Criminal Court for more than a decade over charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Sudanese region.#Sudan says it will hand over Bashir to the ICC. https://t.co/UIKZs1OnxX
— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) August 11, 2021

The United States for years pressured nations not to welcome Bashir due to the 2009 arrest warrant over the brutal conflict in Darfur, which Washington had described as genocide.

After ruling with an iron fist for three decades, Bashir was deposed in 2019 amid youth-driven protests.