Bashir Seeks South’s Support over Genocide Charge

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has appealed for South Sudan’s support in his bid to survive an indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Speaking on a rare visit to the semi-autonomous region that waged a 21 year guerrilla war against his government, Bashir called for all parties and groups in Sudan to unite against the ICC charges. Last July, the ICC announced its intention to indict Bashir for 10 counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes against ethnic groups in Darfur. Bashir has since embarked on a "national reconciliation campaign, even visiting Darfur in late July in an effort to have the ICC indictment deferred. [PE]