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Omar al-Bashir

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Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir was a prominent military officer and politician from Sudan. He served as the head of state for thirty years, from 1989 until 2019.

Omar al-Bashir 1989
Omar al-Bashir 1989

His long rule began through a military coup d'état. This is a sudden, often violent, seizure of power from a government by military leaders. Al-Bashir's rise to power fundamentally changed the political and legal landscape of Sudan for decades.

Al-Bashir's path to leadership started in the Sudanese Army. In 1989, he was a brigadier general leading a group of officers. This group was supported by the National Islamic Front, or NIF. They executed a coup to remove the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi.

1989 Sudanese coup d'état
1989 Sudanese coup d'état

After the coup, al-Bashir replaced President Ahmed al-Mirghani. He assumed many roles, including chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation. This body held both legislative and executive powers during a transitional period.

During his presidency, al-Bashir consolidated power through various political methods. In 1993, he appointed himself president and disbanded rival political parties. He later founded the National Congress Party, known as the NCP, in 1998. This party remained the dominant political force in Sudan until 2019. While he was elected to the presidency in 1996, 2000, and 2010, these elections faced significant scrutiny. Observers from the European Union and the Carter Center noted that the polls did not meet international standards due to fraud and intimidation.

Al bashir1
Al bashir1

One of the most serious chapters of his rule involved the Darfur region. Al-Bashir oversaw the War in Darfur, which featured guerrilla warfare between the Janjaweed militia and rebel groups. These rebel groups included the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

Darfur report - Page 2 Image 1
Darfur report - Page 2 Image 1

The conflict caused massive displacement for a large portion of Darfur's 6.2 million people. While the Sudanese government reported approximately 10,000 deaths, most other sources estimate the death toll was between 200,000 and 400,000 people.

Refugee camp Chad
Refugee camp Chad

These events led to unprecedented legal action by the International Criminal Court (ICC). In 2008, prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo accused al-Bashir of war crimes and crimes against humanity. In 2009, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for him.

Darfur report - Page 4 Image 2
Darfur report - Page 4 Image 2

A second warrant was issued in 2010, which included three counts of genocide. The ICC suspected al-Bashir was an indirect co-perpetrator of these crimes. However, the Sudanese government did not recognize the authority of the ICC and refused the warrants. Many international organizations, including the African Union and the Arab League, also opposed the court's decisions.

Al-Bashir's domestic policies also shaped the nation's borders and economy. In 2005, his government negotiated an end to the Second Sudanese Civil War. This led to a referendum that allowed the south to separate from the north, creating the country of South Sudan.

The coming vote - Flickr - Al Jazeera English
The coming vote - Flickr - Al Jazeera English

Economically, his administration saw growth from oil extraction, but this wealth was not shared equally. By 2012, Sudan faced chronic inflation, with a yearly average of about 36 percent. This economic instability caused high food and energy prices, leading to widespread public discontent.

In late 2018, large-scale protests erupted across Sudan as citizens demanded his removal. These demonstrations eventually led to a military coup on April 11, 2019.

Omar al-Bashir 1989
Omar al-Bashir 1989

Al-Bashir was replaced by a Transitionary Military Council, which eventually shared power with a civilian-led Sovereignty Council. In December 2019, al-Bashir was convicted on multiple corruption charges and sentenced to two years in prison. His legal history remains a complex subject involving both domestic criminal law and international human rights law.

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🖼️ Images & Media (15)
File:Sudan Army - OF10.svg
Sudan Army - OF10.svg
File:Omar al-Bashir 1989.jpg
Omar al-Bashir 1989.jpg
File:1989 Sudanese coup d'état.jpg
1989 Sudanese coup d'état.jpg
File:Al bashir1.jpg
Al bashir1.jpg
File:Bashir letter to Hamilton.jpg
Bashir letter to Hamilton.jpg
File:The coming vote - Flickr - Al Jazeera English.jpg
The coming vote - Flickr - Al Jazeera English.jpg
File:Darfur report - Page 4 Image 2.jpg
Darfur report - Page 4 Image 2.jpg
File:Refugee camp Chad.jpg
Refugee camp Chad.jpg
File:Darfur report - Page 2 Image 1.jpg
Darfur report - Page 2 Image 1.jpg
File:OmarHassanBashir 03nov06 210.jpg
OmarHassanBashir 03nov06 210.jpg
File:Omar al-Bashir, 12th AU Summit, 090131-N-0506A-347.jpg
Omar al-Bashir, 12th AU Summit,...
File:Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir met with Ali Khamenei 04.jpg
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir met...

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