Sudan to Hand Former President Omar al-Bashir to ICC to Face Trial

The Sudanese government is set to hand over former President Omar al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face trial.

Sudan’s Foreign Minister Mariam al-Mahdi on Wednesday announced that al-Bashir will be handed over alongside other officials wanted over the Darfur conflict.

Bashir, who ruled the country for 30 years before his ouster in 2019, faces charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

Sudan State media reported that the Cabinet resolved to hand over wanted officials to The Hague-based international court. The development comes amid ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan’s visit to Sudan.

Along with three officials, Bashir was indicted by the ICC on charges, including war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. The handover will end Bashir’s trial on corruption and other crimes in local courts.

The ICC issued a warrant of arrest against the 77-year-old in 2009 but he has never been put in custody since then.

Data by United Nations indicate that 300,000 people were killed during the 2003 Darfur conflict with 2.5 million others displaced.

Human rights groups accused Bashir and his former aides of using a scorched earth policy, raping, killing, looting, and burning villages during the conflict.