Algeria: Statesman Condemns Bashir Arrest Warrant
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The Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa)
20 July 2008
Posted to the web 21 July 2008
Addis Ababa
Former Algerian president Ahmed Ben Bella on Thursday condemned the International Criminal Court's (ICC) indictment of Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for genocide as a dangerous measure.
"The announcement made on 14 July by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court against an African head of state is one of these abuses ... that carry so many dangers," Ben Bella said in a statement released in Addis Ababa.
The Algerian independence hero was in Ethiopia to chair a meeting of the African Union's (AU) 'Panel of the Wise' which groups five senior former officials from around the region.
"If we are not careful enough, it would be an instrument of unconstitutional change of government and (may) lead the way for an external interference," Ben Bella said of the ICC prosecutor's move against Bashir over the Darfur conflict.
"While being perfectly aware of our commitment and our attachment to fight impunity ... we express our deep concern about the threat to the process of peaceful settlement of the Darfur crisis," said the Algerian independence leader, who was overthrown in a 1965 coup.
The indictment against Bashir has divided international opinion, with many cheering it as a blow against injustice but others warning it could worsen the dire conflict in the western Sudanese region.
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"We are called upon as Africans to promote the spirit of dialogue, understanding and reconciliation between the parties. This is the sole means for Africa to succeed in controlling its problems and at the same time guarding against external interference," Ben Bella said.
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How does he feel about the dead and the dying? Can he stand up and say the to kill innocent people and take away there existance is okay. People are being treated like animals. How sad black africa are your people. The President of Sudan should be in prison or worse. Here is a man who only cares about lining his pockets, by any means necessary. How can muslims sit back and say what is happening is alright. This is sad. One can only hope for a miracle. He stated the women were not being raped but the world know… [Read Full Text]