Bashir and the ICC

The International Criminal Court have issued an arrest warrant against President Bashir of Sudan, the first ever against a sitting head of state. I have very ambiguous feelings about this: while it sends out an important message about the real intent of the ICC and the long arm of justice, I have grave doubts about pursuing a legal settlement over and above (or before) a political one. Bashir's response, telling the ICC that they can 'eat their warrant' and kicking out aid agencies, just compounds my worry. However, as Gerard Prunier points out in an article from a few months ago (post-indictment but pre-warrant), "when the 'Darfur peace process' is used as an argument against Bashir's indictment, what exactly is being referred to? For such a process, active or even latent, does not exist."

For 2 perspectives, see a Guardian leader arguing that the ICC is right, and a blog by Alex de Waal stating that the day the warrant was issued was "a sad day for Darfur."

Also interesting to note that the warrant did not include charges of genocide. (See my earlier post.)