Omar al-Bashir was an egoistic and proud politician from Sudan. He was Sudan’s 7th President and Head of the National Congress Party. At the end of the Sudanese Civil War, he negotiated by giving in to whatever the People’s Liberation Army in Sudan made request. Though it was termed as a noble and fair agreement, it led to wars in Darfur which led to death of approximately 400,000 people due to starvation and violence.
2.Timeline
Omar al-Bashir was born on 1st January 1944 at Hosh Bannaga, Sudan.
3.Country
Sudan
4.Rise To Power
As a young man, Omar joined the army and swiftly rose through the ranks. In 1975 he went as the Sudanese military attaché to the United Arab Emirates and was made garrison commander on his return. In 1981 he became the armored parachute brigade’s commander. In the mid 1980s he assumed the leading role in Sudan’s army campaign against rebels in the (SPLA) Sudan People’s Liberation Army.
Omar’s repressive dictatorship and rule has been centre of criticism. When political situation in Sudan had worsened and it was in the midst of a civil war for 21 years between South and North, Omar seized power. He harbored and provided assistance to Islamic terrorist groups, linked with militant groups in Arab countries, all of which added to his notoriety. The ICC – International Criminal Court in 2009 indicted him for directing a campaign of mass pillage against Darfur civilians, rape and killing.
- Dictatorship
In the effort of ousting the government, Omar al-Bashir, led a military coup against Sadiq al-Mahdi, the Prime Minster. In the Sudanese army, he was brigadier, at the time of coup. He suspended all government bodies, trade unions and political parties once he assumed power as Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation. Besides he imprisoned leading political activists and journalists and put a ban on all independent newspapers. On disbanding the Council there was immense growth in his power and he declared himself as Sudanese President in 1989. In the Presidential Elections in 2000 he was elected again for a five year term.
6.End Of Regime
Charging him with crimes against humanity and war crimes an arrest warrant was issued against him by ICC – International Criminal Court in March 2009. He was charged with genocide by the ICC in 2010.
7.Short Term Impact
Political turmoil increased under his rule. War with the SPLA increased with increased intensity all through this period with millions displaced, injured and killed in war. On Omar, pressure mounted to end the Civil War. With the SPLA he formed a peace pact, thus finally giving into international pressure. In January 2005 a peace agreement was signed between John Garang, the rebel leader and him, but after going through extensive negotiations.
8.Long Term Impact
During Omar al-Bashir’s his administration Sudan made good economic progress. Trade ties between Russia, China and Sudan became stronger.
9.Trivia
Omar al-Bashir is also known as Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir.
Omar al-Bashir is married to Fatima Khalid, his cousin and Widad Babiker Omer. He was also married to a Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation, member named Ibrahim Shamsaddin. Omar al-Bashir has no children of his own with any of the wives.
