Yesterday, Monday, 23 February 2009, a statement from the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hague said that a decision regarding accusations filed against Sudan president Omar al Bashir will be announced on March 4. An article in today’s online edition of The New York Times said that this move indicates that it is likely that the ICC will formally indict Bashir and issue a warrant for his arrest on the 4th. According to the article the advance notice of the announcement of the decision was done to give UN and aid personnel working in the region time to prepare for possible adverse reaction by the government of Khartoum that could jeopardize their security and stability in the area.
Additionally, there are fresh reports of violent clashes the last few days between the Sudanese Armed Forces of the north, and southern SPLA soldiers in Malakal, Upper Nile (part of South Sudan). The fighting seems to have been triggered by an unannounced visit by a general from Khartoum, and there were unconfirmed reports of civilian and military deaths.
As Lent begins, perhaps those of us who are especially concerned for the welfare of our brothers and sisters in Sudan could commit ourselves to pray daily during these forty days for a just and lasting peace in Sudan. This might be an intention we remember when praying the Rosary (especially the Sorrowful Mysteries), the Divine Mercy Chaplet or the Way of the Cross, since it is through the Blood of His Cross that the Lord Jesus has established true peace (cf. Col 1:20).
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