As it stands the Sudanese government has no intention of extraditing ex-President Omar Al-Bashir to the Hague to face the International Criminal Court.
I spoke to a senior government official this morning who told me there have been two/three months of consultations over how they can corporate with the ICC - especially after demands from armed rebel groups during peace talks that Al-Bashir be sent to face trial in the Hague.
But the official told me that there is consensus in the transitional government that a lot of problems will arise internally if he is tried outside of Sudan.
So they are discussing ways for Al-Bashir to "appear" in front of the ICC, within the country's borders.
Some options:
So they are discussing ways for Al-Bashir to "appear" in front of the ICC, within the country's borders.
Some options:
1) Al-Bashir and other indicted individuals to appear in front of an ICC delegation that is flown in.
2) Al-Bashir and other indicted individuals to appear in front of a hybrid ICC/local courtroom.
Other options were discussed but all within Sudan's infrastructure.
2) Al-Bashir and other indicted individuals to appear in front of a hybrid ICC/local courtroom.
Other options were discussed but all within Sudan's infrastructure.
The official made some calls in front of me and made sure to accurately translate the word "مثول" so that there was no confusion. He settled on "appear in front of the ICC". He confirmed to me again, that this would not be at the Hague.
This was before the gov. statement.
This was before the gov. statement.
The ICC has not agreed to any of the above options presented by the Sudanese government.
Consultations/talks continue...
Consultations/talks continue...
This information was confirmed shortly after this meeting (an hour or so before the statement) by a second senior Sudanese government official.
In all of the government statements/quotes I've seen across media outlets today - all from Al-Taishi - I have not seen him mention the Hague or extradition once.
Technically, their plan is to "hand" Al-Bashir & Co to ICC delegates - that they are hoping to convince to come here
Technically, their plan is to "hand" Al-Bashir & Co to ICC delegates - that they are hoping to convince to come here
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