Bashir vows elections on time
2008-08-03 19:43
Khartoum - Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir stepped up his diplomatic campaign to avert a possible international arrest warrant over crimes in Darfur by vowing on Sunday that elections would go ahead on time.
Addressing African and Arab trade unionists, who crowded a Khartoum hall to express their support, Bashir delivered a stern speech outlining four policies in response to a request from the world court's prosecutor for his arrest.
On July 14, he became the first head of state accused by International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, who cited 10 counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur.
'A political solution for Darfur'
"We would like to reiterate our confidence in our national courts and justice, and all the institutions of our government," said Bashir.
"We would like to affirm our striving for a political solution of the Darfur problem," he said before pledging to continue development and rehabilitation programmes.
"We shall also go on with the democratic process and start the elections on its date," said Bashir, who then thanked unionists for their cheering rally of speeches and music.
The ICC prosecutor has accused Bashir of allegedly ordering his forces to annihilate three non-Arab groups in Darfur, masterminding murder, torture, pillaging and using rape to commit genocide.
According to the United Nations, up to 300 000 people have died and more than 2.2 million have fled their homes since the conflict erupted in February 2003. Sudan says 10 000 have been killed.
Warrant decision may take weeks
ICC judges are likely to take until at least mid-September to announce a decision on whether to formally issue a warrant for Beshir's arrest.
Bashir has already made repeated promises of working for peace in Darfur since the ICC prosecutor's accusations but Sunday was the first time he himself referred to the elections going ahead on time.