Omar al-Bashir: Indicted Génocidaire and “Tyrant for Life” in Sudan
Eric Reeves | August 13, 2018 | https://wp.me/s45rOG-8746
In what was all too predictable, the National Islamic Front/National Congress Party regime has decided to crown Omar al-Bashir “tyrant for life” in Sudan. This makes a complete mockery of the fantastical U.S. Sudan policy articulated during the Obama administration, and the de facto policy of the incoherent Trump administration:
“We [the Obama administration] do not want to see the ouster of the [Khartoum] regime, nor regime change. We want to see the regime carrying out reform via constitutional democratic measures.” (Princeton Lyman, former U.S. Special Envoy for the Sudans during the Obama administration, interview with Asharq al-Awsat, December 3, 2011)
Lyman’s savagely expedient wish for “regime continuity” appears to have been granted—a despicable betrayal of Sudan’s people:
Sudan’s Al Bashir accepts nomination to serve third presidential term | Radio Dabanga, August 12, 2018 | KHARTOUM
President Omar Al Bashir has accepted nomination for a third term, and will run as candidate for Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party in the 2020 elections – a move that will require amendments to the Sudanese constitution. On Thursday, the National Shura Council of the National Congress Party (NCP) meeting in Khartoum approved Al Bashir as its presidential candidate, in spite of a restriction to two terms by Sudan’s constitution. Speaking at the closing session of the NCP advisory council on Saturday, Al Bashir accepted nomination, thank the party’s leadership for their confidence.
[Sudan’s “constitution” is simply a convenient tool of the NIF/NCP regime, to be changed when convenient by a permanent stranglehold on all national institutions—ER]
Al Bashir’s nomination for a third terms follow amendments made by the NCP to its own constitution, but will now require amendments to the constitution of Sudan, which limits any individual to two terms as president, to be passed by parliament. The official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported that the council approved amendments in its basic statute and amended article (36) of those who assume organisational tasks.
According to this amendment, the National Shura Council has approved Al Bashir as its candidate for 2020, and “directed the concerned organs to adopt the required procedure for implementing this decision…”
Opposition
The amendments have met with criticism from both within the ruling party and the opposition.
Responding to what effectively opens the door to Al Bashir being president for life, Omer Ismail, Senior Advisor at the Enough Project advocacy group based in Washington said: “Bashir and his cronies changed the constitution of the ruling party paving the way for him to stand for another term in 2020. Bashir, who has occupied the position since 1989, is a fugitive of the ICC and wants to remain in power for life to avoid accountability, and to continue his atrocities and feed the violent kleptocracy that supports his regime…”