According to a story in The New York Times dated 11 February 2009, judges at the International Criminal Court at the Hauge in the Netherlands have decided to issue a warrant for the arrest of Sudanese President Omar al Bashir (click here to see the Times article). The decision is in response to accusations of crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes made againt Bashir last July by prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo related to atrocities in Darfur, although the exact charges for which the warrant will be issued are not yet known. This is the first time since its establishment in 2002 that the Court has issued a warrant for a sitting head of state.Although there is strong evidence for moving against Bashir, there has been widespread disagreement as to whether prosecution should be pursued. Predictably, the African Union and the Arab League have been lobbying the UN Security Council to postpone proceedings against Bashir. Others are concerned that indicting Bashir could destabilize the country and the region, already unsettled by ongoing conflicts in neighboring countries such as that with the Lord's Resistance Army in northern Uganda and the Democratic Rebublic of the Congo. There is fear that UN and international aid personnel could be endangered, and the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement derailed.
It is not yet clear when the warrant will be made public and what the immediate reaction and short term consequences will be.
PLEASE PRAY FOR STABLE AND LASTING PEACE IN SUDAN.
ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT TO WORK IN THE MINDS AND HEARTS OF THOSE WHO ARE IN POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY WITH RESPECT TO THIS SITUATION, AND TO GUIDE THE UNFOLDING OF EVENTS TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL SUFFERING AND DESTRUCTION FOR THE PEOPLE OF SUDAN.
Our Lady of Sudan, Mother of Africa and Queen of Peace, pray for us!
St. Bakhita of Darfur, pray for us!
St. Daniel Comboni, Apostle of Sudan, pray for us!
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