Omar Bashir Indictment: AU has Betrayed Africa

Bashir: Peacemaker or troublemaker? Photo courtesy

It is disgusting and appalling that African rulers congregating in Sirte (Libya) vowed to stand by Sudanese President, Omar Bashir. African rulers have once again proved to be hypocrites and indifferent altogether as far as human rights are concerned. Sadly, Rwandan strongman, Paul Kagame who claims to have stopped the genocide in Rwanda, too, concurred with this megalomania whilst his country suffered the same genocide as Darfur. It's unfortunate. Africa did not learn from what transpired in Rwanda.

Again, looking at how genocide was committed in Rwanda, who knows? Maybe Kagame has smelt a rat before ICC knocks on the door. The Swahili have a saying that when you see your colleague being shaved without water, rinse your head. African rulers wrongly think ICC is there to foster colonialism and interfere in their affairs thanks to taking on one of theirs. This does not help AU. And if reality is openly faced, chances are, African rulers were manipulated by the current chair of AU, Libyan Muammar Gadaffi.

If Bashir did not commit genocide in Darfur, why is he afraid of facing the ICC? Given that genocide was committed under his watch and order, Bashir can do anything but not to appear before the tribunal. This reminds me of one cartoon showing him driving over thousands of human skulls but still asking: do you have any evidence to prove that my Janjaweeds committed genocide in Darfur?

In its vague bagatelle, AU averred, "The AU member states shall not co-operate... relating to immunities for the arrest and surrender of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to the ICC." This betrayal was applauded and received by Sudan as a breakthrough in getting away with genocide Sudan committed to Darfur.

When AU, then OAU, was founded, its aim among others was to unify and ultimately emancipate African countries from the yoke of colonialism and all sorts of humiliation, degradation and inhumanity. But as days go by, AU has proved to be the opposite thanks to Africa being ruled by dictators, thieves and killers. Ironically, black colonialists are on the helm. AU's goals have changed from fighting colonialism to defending it as its members are homegrown colonialists.

One would expect AU to issue a statement with regards to what is going on in Gabon where the son of the former tyrant is bracing himself to replace his father. AU is expected to chart the way for Zimbabwe whose prime minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, recently came back with empty hands after western countries failed to live up to their promise of rebuilding Zimbabwe after embracing the government of national unity.

Many African countries have betrayed Darfur as it bleeds to death. They are adding more insults to injuries by ganging up with Bashir. With such nugatory stance, AU has proved to be a gang of dictators in power as far as emancipation and unification of Africa are concerned. It's totally failed to solve crises in Darfur, Somalia and Zimbabwe. Though noises are made on unification of Africa, looking at how our potentates behave, this is a day dream if AU can conspire with and connive crimes like genocide in Darfur.

AU should have shut up and put up rather than taking side. This won't help begging Africa so to speak. Of all African countries, Botswana and Kenya did the right thing by not consenting to this betrayal and shame. In law, the perpetrator of any offence is criminal and liable as the conspirator. Since genocide in Darfur has all blessings of AU, the AU must be held responsible for it. Even its bagatelle was passed without voting.

Donor countries that strongly support ICC must suspend their aids to all African countries that shamelessly support this perilous stance that butchers its own people it is duty bound to protect. African countries that signed the instrument establishing ICC must be reminded of their obligations.

Despite the fact that African rulers allege that ICC is interfering in their affairs, no sane mind can consent to this. The so-called 'their affairs' ICC is alleged to interfere with are the same that caused genocide in Rwanda. Why do African rulers forget easily? Under Idi Amin, Uganda suffered a lot thanks to the same pretext of not interfering in the affairs of the country. It also happened in Zimbabwe as Robert Mugabe sent the country to purgatory as the same AU stood by him.

AU can wrongly assure itself that it will save and protect Bashir but history will one day persecute him. He has been given visas to travel in the continent without any hitch and fear but time will come when some countries will see the light and take on him as it happened in Liberia. By fully or partially supporting Bashir, indeed, AU has proved how awkward it is.
Source: The African Executive Magazine July 15, 2009