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In Sudan War Crimes Case, Peace Must Take Priority

Prosecuting Bashir would imperil long-term situation

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 21, 2008 1:20 PM CDT

(Newser) – The genocide and war crimes charges against the Sudanese president are a solid moral victory, but to actually prosecute Omar al-Bashir would derail realistic chances of peace in the war-torn nation, argues author David Rieff in the LA Times. Indeed, the African Union today called for the Security Council to stall on the war crimes charges for exactly that reason, AFP reports.

While it would be "emotionally satisfying" to prosecute Bashir, "justice cannot and should not always be the first priority," Rieff writes, citing South Africa and Chile as instances in which peace outweighed justice. The best chance at quelling the violence would be to "restart negotiations in a serious way" and not "indulge in 'Count of Monte Cristo'-like fantasies of the wicked getting their comeuppance."

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

In this July 21, 2007, file photo, Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir waves to his supporters during in Khartoum, Sudan. (AP Photo/Abd Raouf, file)

International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo speaks during a news conference regarding the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Rome Statute of the ICC Thursday, July 17, 2008 at... (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

A Sudanese supporter of President Omar al-Bashir, who had genocide charges filed against him at the International Criminal Court,. (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)

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Sudan's President Charged With Genocide:SelectPlusSudan's President Charged With GenocideSudan's President Charged With GenocideThe Associated PressThe prosecutor of the International Criminal Court filed genocide charges Monday against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, accusing him of masterminding attempts to wipe out African tribes in Darfur. (July 14)The International Criminal Court has filed genocide charges against the president of Sudan. The court accuses Omar al-Bashir of masterminding attempts to wipe... (AssociatedPress)

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In Sudan War Crimes Case, Peace Must Take Priority