Bashir’s Best Buddies?
There were great signs of unity from President Bashir’s National Congress Party, or NCP, in the immediate wake of the arrest warrant from The Hague. That was to be expected. Now we are starting to hear rumors that the inner circle in Khartoum is getting a bit more wobbly. It makes sense. (Don’t be fooled by their public statements. These guys will proclaim their undying loyalty to Bashir even as they drive him to the airport for a flight to The Hague.)
With the decision to kick key relief agencies out of Darfur and elsewhere across the country, Bashir is making clear that he intends to keep committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, this also increases the likelihood over time that international charges will be brought against other members of Bashir’s government and the whole regime will be increasingly isolated. While Bashir may feel that he has nothing to lose, those immediately around him now realize that they have more and more to lose by clinging to their failed leader. Don’t look for dramatic change over night, but Bashir’s real estate is shrinking. Somewhat sadly, Bashir’s most enduring loyalists may prove to be the arm chair analysts in New York and Washington who have made a cottage industry out of being critical of international justice, activism, or any forward leaning efforts to actually end a crisis rather than simply managing its consequences.
Technorati Tags: 
Dare to Imagine ...
Time: 1.5 President Hours, I UN Sitting.
Cost: Not much if you get the media to pick up the costs.
When: Now.
Why: Why not.
The G20 is in April.
President Obama is the right man in the right place and the right time.
The principle of the separation of powers that underpins democracy shows us the importance of giving law is rightful independence.
We have in the ICC's Rome Statute a carefully crafted legal document that contains the words of peace and security.
Every person should be encouraged to read this document and use it when speaking of atrocity. This will bring a concise non political relentless focus on atrocity.
It is a false assertion when leaders say this document will affect their sovereignty.
Only leaders that lack moral conviction, who cannot back their integrity with actions or leaders that cannot govern without criminal acts against humanity could deny this very specific document.
This document should have pride of place in every home around the world. It should be taught in schools everywhere. It represents our basic right to peace and security. It seeks to protect everyone. Nothing else.
It is only politics that weakens this document. The answer. Remove politics and simply apply the law justly and publicly.
We have progressed to the point where 108 countries are signatories and obliged to follow this law.
In Sudan's case, Sudan is not a signatory. It was the UN in 2005 that gave the ICC jurisdiction to apply the law in Darfur.
The UN must follow through and take all and any measures to act immediately to protect the people of Darfur. Further they must also ensure that the Arrest of the Sudan President procedes. It is UN’s moral responsibility because they initiated the action. The UN cannot fail humanity any longer. It must represent.
The situation would be helped greatly if President Obama would read and consider signing the US as the 109th Signatory to the law of peace and security for humanity before the G20 Summit.
As one of the finest speakers of our time, he could also urge all peoples to rally with him to urge all leaders to sign the ICC's Rome Statute.
The worlds media should seek out public interviews from all leaders that do not wish to sign so that their rationale can be delivered to us all in person and become part of the public record.
This will balance the harms done in Aprils past and deliver the possibility of Hope and Unity
(not Fear and Division). Peace and (future - depending on G20 Progress) Prosperity.
Independent law applied with integrity and without fear or favour is the answer, because it removes the politics, religion, cultural and other biases from the subject. Law cares not for power or politics. It sees atrocity and that's all it seeks to address.
If we walk away from this opportunity in time more will suffer. Only when leaders are held accountable will things change.
No one has the right to be above the laws of peace and security.
As leaders regulate so should they be regulated.
Peace for all. Now.
Rob
Enduring Loyalists
John,
A great piece ruined with a cheap shot at the end. Critics of the ICC move warned that indicting Bashir could have a critical impact on the humanitarian effort in Darfur. That is exactly what happened.
Accusing people who disagree with you of being "Bashir's most enduring loyalists" seems a trifle unfair. There are very good reasons for being concerned about the impact of the ICC.
This polarising of the debate helps no-one, least of all Darfuris.
Regards,
Rob