Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad, Sudan’s ambassador to the United Nations, briefed the press at UN headquarters in New York today regarding the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) indictment of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

Ambassador Mohamad repeatedly denounced the indictment by ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, and rejected “in the strongest possible terms” the charges of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

The ambassador strongly asserted that “we do not recognize the authority of the ICC” and that “we consider this move as an affront” to the sovereignty to Sudan.  He also claimed that the charges are politically motivated, stating  “[Ocampo] only wants to settle political scores.”  When pressed on what specific political “scores” motivate Ocampo, ambassador Mohamed quickly changed the subject.

Regarding resolution of the Darfur crisis, the ambassador stated, “Darfur problems better be addressed by the Sudanese” and that international support should be “complimentary” to the efforts of the Sudanese government.

Ambassador Mohamed confidently expressed that the President’s travel schedule would not be interrupted, and that the ambassador would be surprised if President Bashir did not attend the United Nations annual General Assembly meeting in September.

More Talk Radio News Sudan Coverage

Listen to the full audio of Sudanese Ambassador to the United Nations Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad’s statement on the indictment of President Omar al-Bashir by the ICC. (16:39)

Soudbite audio below.

 

 Sudan Ambassador on ICC Indictment Full Statement: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Sudan Ambassador Condemns ICC Indictment: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Sudan Ambassador on Working with ICC: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Sudan Ambassador on Exemptions from ICC: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Sudan Ambassador on Political Process: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Radhika Coomaraswamy, United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, spoke today at the United Nations in New York about her recent visit to Afghanistan.  Ms Coomaraswamy, along with the Director of the Office of Emergency Programmes for UNICEF Louia-George Arsenault, visited Afghanistan for five days this past week to determine the extent to which children are being used in conflict zones.  Ms. Coomaraswamy explained that her role was to ensure that the UN monitoring presence in Afghanistan is correctly established and implemented. The team met with local religious and social leaders, leading NGOs, as well as Afghani President Hamid Karai.

Ms. Coomaraswamy stated that the UN as of yet has no hard figures on the number of children currently being used in armed conflict, and that the mission goal was to establish a UN presence.  She did, however, express that children are being detained by Americans, and recruited by the Taliban and other anti-government groups.  She also witnessed evidence of Talibani and tribal recruitment of young boys.  Ms. Coomaraswamy also stated that more sexual violence occurs against young boys than young women.  She reminded officials that it is against international law to recruit boys without facial hair to “war or quarters.”

According to Ms. Coomaraswamy, all parties are aware of the fragile security situation in the country, and the impact violence has on children and society.  Ms. Coomaraswamy implored the government of the importance “to expand humanitarian space,” and allow organizations to work to assist the civilian population.  In a statement issued last week, Ms. Coomarasawmy stated “the on-going attacks targeting schools, teachers and school children are a grim reminder that concerted efforts must be made by all parties to the conflict to ensure the safety of children … we must take concrete actions now to better protect children and the future generations of the country.”