afrol News, 22 September - Sudanese officials have begun lobbying at United Nations this week to block International Criminal Court indictment on country's longtime president.

ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo has accused Sudan's president Omar al-Bashir of masterminding a campaign of rape, murder and deportation in volatile Darfur region, and has asked court to issue an arrest warrant for President. Darfur conflict has killed 300,000 and displaced more than 2.5m since the conflict began in 2003.

Fearing that crisis in Darfur will worsen if prosecutor is allowed to proceed with indictment, officials have launched a campaign at United Nations Security Council to delay court's proceedings, for a year.

ICC has said troops under president's command continue to rape women in Darfur. However opponents of the investigation argue that it is hindering efforts to establish peace in Darfur.

The court is expected to make its decision before end of the year and Sudanese government has been lobbying African and Arab countries to support its attempts to evade Mr al-Bashir's prosecution.

Meanwhile, ICC statement issued today said Mr Moreno-Ocampo will be in New York to meet with leaders on sidelines of UN General Assembly meeting.

Mr Moreno-Ocampo said Mr al Bashir has complete control of his forces in Darfur, and said those forces are responsible for raping women, bombing schools and trying to destroy entire communities.

Sudan has accused western governments and media of exaggerating the conflict, and says only about 10,000 people have died.

African Union has asked UN Security Council to freeze ICC case against al-Bashir, which can do so if it deems the prosecution as a threat to peace and security.

The council initially asked ICC to investigate Darfur crisis and freezing process at this point could be seen as not only undermining the court but also emboldening Sudanese government.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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