In a recent development, former Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted from power several years ago, has been transferred from a prison north of Omdurman to Merowe hospital, located about 450 kilometers from the capital Khartoum.
The move follows a request by the 80-year-old’s legal team due to health issues requiring treatment not available at the Wadi Seedna military base where he was previously held. Two of his former aides, the former defense minister and the former sports minister, were also transferred with him.
Sudan has pledged to hand al-Bashir over to the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant for him. al-Bashir is wanted by the court on charges of genocide and war crimes related to the conflict in Darfur, which erupted in 2003.
When rebels from the central Darfur community and sub-Saharan Africa launched an insurgency, al-Bashir’s government responded with a series of bombings and raids by militias. The militias are accused of mass killings and rapes.
Al-Bashir’s transfer comes as Sudan faces another conflict, which erupted in April last year between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary force. Millions of people have been displaced by the fighting, leaving about half the country’s population facing acute famine.
The situation underscores the continuing challenges Sudan faces as it tries to stabilize the country and overcome the devastating effects of conflict and humanitarian crises. The situation of al-Bashir is also a reminder of the consequences of human rights violations and war crimes, which continue to weigh on the region and require continued international action to ensure justice and stability.