The Sudan story has been in the headlines all week with the issuance of an arrest warrant by ICC (International Criminal Court) for President Bashir.
I was talking with a broadcast journalist yesterday and commented that Bashir is a political survivor and would likely out-maneuver the ICC. Sure enough, Bashir has turned the warrant into a domestic political gain for himself by holding a rally, rebuking the US. This is a bit nutty since the US has not even signed the ICC charter!
In the meantime, Bashir alleges aid agencies have been feeding evidence against him to the ICC. So what does he do? Kick the agencies out.
Here’s a report from CNN:
Sudan told as many as 10 humanitarian groups to leave Darfur, and seized the agencies’ assets, U.N. deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe said. The aid groups include Oxfam, Solidarities and Mercy Corps, she said. The exact number of groups involved was not given and some groups were not identified, both to protect their people on the ground in Sudan and because they are hoping to reverse the decision. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is “concerned” about the reported expulsions, a spokeswoman said. “He notes that this represents a serious setback to lifesaving operations in Darfur, and urges the government of Sudan to act urgently to restore these NGOs to their full operational status,” spokeswoman Michelle Montas said. Sudanese government officials “have insisted on accompanying some (international non-governmental organization) staff members into their offices and taking lists of assets and staff,” Montas said. She called the aid agencies who had been kicked out “the main providers of life-saving humanitarian services, such, as water, food, health, and sanitation. Their departure will have an immediate and serious impact on the humanitarian and security situation in North Sudan, (and) especially in Darfur.”
So this debate between Franklin Graham of Samaritan’s Purse and retired Archbishop Tutu over the wisdom of the arrest warrant is hardly academic. Real lives hang in the balance. Pray for the Sudanese church.
