OMAR AL-BASHIR

Omar al-Bashir was born on January 1, 1944, in the village of Hosh Bannaga, close to Shendi in northern Sudan. His family, from the Ja'alin tribe, was modest, with his father working as a small-scale dairy farmer. The second among twelve siblings, al-Bashir was affectionately nicknamed "Omeira," or "Little Omar," in his youth, an active child with a love for football. He attended primary school in his hometown before moving with his family to Khartoum North, where he completed his secondary education. This formative period ignited his support for Al-Hilal, a Sudanese football club, while also fostering his interest in a military career.

Al-Bashir joined the Sudanese Armed Forces, where he rose through the ranks. By the 1980s, he had honed his military expertise, commanding an armored parachute brigade and serving as a military attaché to the United Arab Emirates. In 1989, he led a coup that dissolved Sudan’s coalition government, ushering in a period of military rule. He assumed broad powers as head of state and implemented Islamic law nationwide, setting up the Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation. Aligning with Islamist leader Hassan al-Turabi, al-Bashir shaped policies that restricted political opposition, and in 1993, he formally became Sudan’s president, cementing his control over both executive and legislative functions.

Throughout his presidency, al-Bashir pursued policies that brought both economic growth and significant challenges. While Sudan experienced growth from oil revenues, these gains were overshadowed by rising inequality and inflation. His administration faced protests in 2012 as subsidy cuts and currency devaluation worsened inflation, revealing growing public discontent.

Al-Bashir’s leadership faced scrutiny on the international stage, particularly due to Sudan's connection with extremist groups. In the mid-1990s, his relationship with al-Turabi became strained, exacerbated by Sudan’s ties to figures such as Osama bin Laden. The U.S. designated Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1993, imposing sanctions that intensified in 1997. By 1998, after the U.S. embassy bombings in East Africa, the United States launched a missile strike on Sudan’s Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory, claiming it was connected to al-Qaeda. The event highlighted Sudan’s complex global relations, as Sudan continued covert talks with the U.S. while remaining under sanctions.

Domestically, al-Bashir’s rule saw two major conflicts: the Second Sudanese Civil War and the Darfur crisis. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005 brought a fragile peace to southern Sudan, paving the way for South Sudan’s eventual independence in 2011. However, the Darfur conflict, which began in 2003, led to catastrophic violence, with casualties estimated between 200,000 and 400,000. Accusations of government-sanctioned atrocities in Darfur prompted international responses, including U.N. sanctions and peacekeeping efforts. Despite agreements like the 2006 Abuja and 2011 Doha Agreements, violence persisted, further complicating efforts toward peace.

In 2009 and 2010, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for al-Bashir, charging him with crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur. These allegations included targeting ethnic groups such as the Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa. Al-Bashir, however, dismissed these accusations, and Sudan rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction, as the country was not a signatory to the Rome Statute. The warrants sparked international debate, with many African and Arab leaders condemning the charges as interference in Sudan’s affairs, a stance reinforced by al-Bashir’s continued travels to ICC non-compliant countries.

Al-Bashir’s administration also became embroiled in allegations of corruption, with claims that he embezzled billions of dollars. While British authorities and al-Bashir denied these accusations, U.S. diplomatic reports and the ICC pointed to financial misconduct. Sudan’s economic relationship with international banks was highlighted when BNP Paribas, under U.S. scrutiny, was fined billions for sanctions violations related to Sudan.

Despite the controversies, al-Bashir maintained his presidency until 2019, when months of protests fueled by economic hardships culminated in his removal from power by the Sudanese Armed Forces. Placed under house arrest, he faced legal charges, including corruption and money laundering. His arrest marked a turning point in Sudan’s political landscape, as the transitional government signaled cooperation with the ICC, agreeing in 2020 to transfer him for trial on charges related to Darfur.

Omar al-Bashir, now in declining health and reportedly suffering from heart issues, remains a figure of complex legacy, embodying Sudan's turbulent journey through dictatorship, conflict, and pursuit of international relations shaped by both alliances and isolation.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_al-Bashir