Dr. Hassan E. El Talib, Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan to India, writes:
The editorial in The Hindu , headlined >Sudan’s tribal smokescreen , and published on November 21, 2013, contained unsubstantiated allegations against Sudan’s President, Omer Hassan El Bashir. The unfounded accusations of genocide have been categorically denied by Sudan, and these have not been proved by any neutral investigative body.
Sudan is not a party to the ICC, but the allegation of genocide was referred to it by the Security Council in contravention of international norms and practices as the ICC is not part of the U.N. Charter. Sudan has challenged that resolution. Sixty per cent of the permanent members of the Security Council are not a party to the ICC and do not believe its jurisdiction should question their citizens, a matter that substantiates its lack of universal jurisdiction. The reference was done politically, as orchestrated by certain countries to further their agenda, aiming to compromise the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Sudan.
Sudan has found support from the African Union, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Non-Aligned Movement, the IGAD and most of the international community. Sudan’s Constitution stands against impunity and violation of human rights. Special Tribunals were formed to deal with crimes perpetrated in Darfur.
Omer El Bashir is Sudan’s President since April 2010. He got more than 67 per cent of votes in internationally supervised multiparty elections.
The issue of tribal fighting in Darfur is not new, but it has never been about racial discrimination, as the people of Sudan do not tolerate racism in culture or social conduct. Harmony and diversity are in the genetics of the Sudanese community. The tribal conflict resolution mechanism is intact in Darfur, and the federal system adopted since 1993 provides for equitable sharing of power and resources by all regions.
Sudan is the first African country to adopt an agreed resolution to the conflict in South Sudan through a referendum and to respect the Right of Self Determination. After the execution of the Doha Agreements, five federal states were established in Darfur where State Governors (Walis) were democratically elected to continue the struggle for development.
