The ties between Sudan and the United Nations continue to weaken over the result of Darfur and the demands for the arrest and extradition of two suspected war criminals. On a side note, the issue of Darfur has been one of the issues that could hurt China as it is set to host the 2008 Summer Olympics this August.
During the CNN Democratic Debates, New Mexico Governor and former Democratic hopeful Bill Richardson gave the explanation of China being Sudan’s number one buyer of oil. Richardson said that China controls Sudan’s economy. He had also given the suggestion of a threat to boycott to pressure China to do more to end the bloodshed in Sudan.
Hollywood director Steven Spielberg even resigned his post as a creative adviser to the Olympics because of what is going on in Sudan.
Right now, Sudan’s government has been criticized for refusing to hand over Ahmed Harun and Ali Kushayb. Harun is a Cabinet minister and Kushayb is a militia commander. Both of them face a wide number of charges from murder, rape, and forced expulsions between 2003 and 2004 in Darfur.
The UN has demanded the two be handed over to be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Both are also accused of organizing a system for a militia to spread terror throughout the villages of Darfur.
What makes this more interesting is that China supports the UN’s demand. As explained, China is a protector of the country due to the oil. The United States has also backed this notion. Several months back, US President George W. Bush defended his action not to send US troops into Sudan.
Still, Sudan has constantly rejected the demands to arrest and turn over Harun and Kushayb. Darfur was referred to the ICC back in 2005. That allowed the ICC the prosecutor to have jurisdiction over what happened in Darfur.
Regardless of the demands, though supported by China and the US, Sudan still refuses.
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