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Sudan Rallies Behind Leader, Despite Darfur

Indicted president seen as only hope of preventing anarchy

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 28, 2008 8:35 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Omar al-Bashir is reviled across the world for presiding over the mass murder of his own people in Darfur, and now the Sudanese president has been accused of genocide by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. But within Sudan his rule has become more secure than ever, as opponent after opponent has rallied behind him. The New York Times reports on a political transformation in Khartoum.

Many of Bashir's political enemies worry that the country could collapse into Somalia-style anarchy if the president were ousted. Without Bashir, the peace treaty that ended decades of civil war between north and south—and that killed 2.2 million people—could be imperiled. "A lot of the political entities looked into the abyss and were scared," said a top Western diplomat.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir greets his spporters in Darfur's capital of al-Fasher, Sudan, Wednesday, July 23, 2008.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir greets his spporters in Darfur's capital of al-Fasher, Sudan, Wednesday, July 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir smiles as he inaugurates a new school in the town of el Geneina in the far western part of Darfur, Sudan, Thursday, July 24, 2008.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir smiles as he inaugurates a new school in the town of el Geneina in the far western part of Darfur, Sudan, Thursday, July 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir greets several thousand of his supporters in the town of el Geneina in the far western part of Darfur, Sudan, Thursday, July 24, 2008.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir greets several thousand of his supporters in the town of el Geneina in the far western part of Darfur, Sudan, Thursday, July 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
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Arab League frets at Bashir arrest warrant
Reuters

Peace, justice, and Darfur
Council on Foreign Relations

 
Africa • Darfur • Sudan • Crisis in Darfur • Omar al Bashir • International Criminal Court

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