Daily Darfur: Friends of War Criminals (...y'all should make t-shirts)

On his second visit to Darfur since the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants were issued, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir told rebels to lay down their arms. File that under "Pipe Dreams of a Hypocrite."

And file this under "Does He Even Believe What He's Saying?":

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki --- famed propper-upper of violent dictators on the African continent --- opened a new African Union panel on Darfur by claiming that the AU has primary authority over the conflict:

"The African Union has taken the clear and unequivocal decision the continent must act not only to end war and violent conflict in Africa, but also to ensure that where war does anyway break out, all belligerents must know that war crimes, crimes against humanity and other abuses will be punished resolutely, and that a culture of impunity will not be permitted to take root and entrench itself," Mbeki said.

Dear Mr. Mbeki,

That's fine and dandy --- if the AU had done anything substantive over the past 6 years to end the conflict and hold the perpetrators accountable. However, you've done quite the opposite, and as such, the international community stepped in. (The ICC is, you see, the "court of last resort," and steps in when national systems fail to do so.)

Hugs,

Michelle

PS -  You, of all people, talking about accountability for crimes against humanity? Laughable....in the most depressing sense of the word.

PPS - How's Bobby?

Seeing the Forest for the Trees

China's "serious concern" over Bashir's decision to expel 16 international and local aid agencies from Darfur apparently does not quite meet muster for China to do much more than, well, say so:

"Asked whether China would support a Security Council statement or resolution urging Sudan to allow the 16 international and local aid groups to return to Darfur, [China's ambassador to the UN] Zhang said his government would want the UN panel to ‘address this issue in a comprehensive fashion.' There are ‘many issues that are connected,' he said.

Yes...many connected issues. However, immediate crises --- and I think the possibility of a million people starving to death in a matter of weeks qualifies --- require a brief departure from your comprehensive agenda. I have the same frustration with the Obama Administration: Please, conduct your policy review, carefully consider your approach to a variety of complex issues, but some things require action right now.

Other items of note...

I'm not sure how any reasonable government official could come to the conclusion that it is safe for Darfuri asylum seekers to be shipped back to Sudan --- but one in the UK did, and the man was promptly murdered on his return.

Darfur and the ICC: Myths versus Reality --- a nice overview of common misconceptions about the ICC's role in Darfur, thanks to Human Rights Watch.

[Photo from AP: Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, left, and South African President Thabo Mbeki, walk together in Cape Town, South Africa, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007.]