OIC rallies behind President Al-Bashir
By SSI staff writer
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia- An emergency Ministerial meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) convened at the OIC headquarters, Jeddah, on August 4, 2008 to discuss the situation in Sudan following the announcement by the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor to seek indictment of several members of the Government including the President of Sudan has come out with a 12 point communiqué in support of President Omar Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir.
In it the Executive Committee expressed its full solidarity with the Sudan under the leadership of President Al-Bashir and stated its unflinching support for the various endeavors to achieve genuine national reconciliation, lasting peace and stability within the context of a sovereign and united country.
The Executive Committee appealed to the Sudanese parties and other stakeholders to recommit themselves to the revival of the peace process in Darfur and deal constructively with various initiatives in this regard and reiterated its respect for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of the Sudan, and called on all sections of the international community to do the same.
Regarding the recent application by the ICC Prosecutor for the indictment of President Al- Bashir, the Executive Committee called the move ‘as unwarranted and unacceptable’, and expressed its deep concern that this action could seriously undermine the ongoing efforts aimed at facilitating the early resolution of the conflict in Darfur and the promotion of long lasting peace and reconciliation in the Sudan and also warned that this action could further lead to greater destabilization for the country and the entire region.
Urging the UN Security Council to suspend indefinitely the move by the Prosecutor directed against President Al-Bashir the OIC has announced its decision to coordinate its efforts with the African Union, the League of Arab States, the Non-Aligned Movement and other political groupings to support steps in the UN and elsewhere aimed at defusing this dangerous situation and preventing its recurrence.
The Executive Committee also instructed the OIC Group in New York to evolve best ways and means of tackling the issue during the 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly later this year.
The meeting was chaired by the Minister of State, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Senegal Cheikh Tidiane Gadio, whose country is the current Islamic Summit Chairman. In his opening statement, the Minister warned all concerned against the serious possible consequences of the ICC action and called for an initiative by the OIC Secretary General to work along with his counterparts in the AL, AU and NAM towards finding a peaceful solution to the crisis in Sudan. .