Sudan Approves Bill to Join International Criminal Court
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The Sudanese Cabinet approves a draft bill to join the International Criminal Court, allowing the trial of the former Omar al-Bashir, and Sudanese PM Hamdok stresses that justice and accountability are the firm foundations of Sudan.
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Sudanese Cabinet approves draft bill to join founding treaty of the International Criminal Court
The Sudanese Cabinet voted in favor of joining the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court, in a move that allows the trial of the former President Omar al-Bashir.
Abdallah Hamdok, Sudanese Prime Minister, tweeted, "Today, we unanimously approved the draft law on Sudan's accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, in preparation for a joint meeting between the Sovereignty Council and the Cabinet for approval."
He added that "justice and accountability are the firm foundations of the new Sudan that is committed to the rule of law that we all strive to uphold."
Before the bill is passed, it must be approved by the Sovereignty Council, the country's ruling body that is composed of military and civilian members.
It is worth mentioning that al-Bashir was arrested in 2019 under the pressure of a revolution, and he is wanted by the International Criminal Court.
In February 2020, the transitional Sovereignty Council pledged to bring al-Bashir before the International Criminal Court, which issued arrest warrants against him on charges of ethnic cleansing and genocide, during the conflict in the western region of Darfur which broke out in 2003.
Al-Bashir is being tried on charges of overthrowing an elected government in June 1989. He is currently in Kobar Prison in the capital of Sudan.
