Sudan’s Bashir charged with genocide

In its first indictment of a sitting head of state, the International Criminal Court on Monday charged Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir with genocide, The Washington Post reported the same day.

Chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo also accused Bashir of war crimes and crimes against humanity. In his remarks, Ocampo said Bashir “masterminded and implemented a plan to destroy in substantial part” three ethnic groups in the country’s western Darfur region that the government considered rebel constituencies.

Khartoum said Monday that it would mount a legal battle against Ocampo’s accusations. Over the weekend, the government warned of “dire” consequences should Bashir be indicted and, according to the article, “moved several fighter jets into the western region.” As a precautionary measure in case of retaliation, all non-essential U.N. staff are being temporarily removed from Darfur.

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