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Bashir genocide ruling reversed Bashir genocide ruling reversed
(20 minutes later)
International Criminal Court judges have reversed a ruling that there is insufficient proof to charge Sudan's president with genocide in Darfur.International Criminal Court judges have reversed a ruling that there is insufficient proof to charge Sudan's president with genocide in Darfur.
A warrant was issued last year against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on seven counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes.A warrant was issued last year against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on seven counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The Hague court's pre-trial chamber will now have to rule on whether to add genocide to the charge sheet.The Hague court's pre-trial chamber will now have to rule on whether to add genocide to the charge sheet.
The UN says 300,000 people have died in the Darfur conflict since 2003.The UN says 300,000 people have died in the Darfur conflict since 2003.
The ruling that was reversed on Wednesday had said there was not enough evidence to believe Mr Bashir's government had intended to destroy the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa ethnic groups.The ruling that was reversed on Wednesday had said there was not enough evidence to believe Mr Bashir's government had intended to destroy the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa ethnic groups.
International Criminal Court judges reverse the ruling
African and Arab leaders have rallied around Mr Bashir and several nations have refused to honour the existing warrant.African and Arab leaders have rallied around Mr Bashir and several nations have refused to honour the existing warrant.
The UN says 300,000 people have died in the Darfur conflict since 2003.The UN says 300,000 people have died in the Darfur conflict since 2003.
In addition, some 2.7 million were forced to flee from their homes, according to aid agencies.In addition, some 2.7 million were forced to flee from their homes, according to aid agencies.
But the BBC's James Copnall, in Khartoum, says Sudanese officials reacted angrily when the ICC issued its initial arrest warrant for Mr Bashir last March.But the BBC's James Copnall, in Khartoum, says Sudanese officials reacted angrily when the ICC issued its initial arrest warrant for Mr Bashir last March.
Thirteen foreign organisations were expelled and fired-up crowds attended rallies to cheer the president.Thirteen foreign organisations were expelled and fired-up crowds attended rallies to cheer the president.
Our correspondent says Mr Bashir may even have grown in popularity, with many Sudanese seeing the court's decision as an affront to national sovereignty.Our correspondent says Mr Bashir may even have grown in popularity, with many Sudanese seeing the court's decision as an affront to national sovereignty.
'Two-speed' justice'Two-speed' justice
Mr Bashir has avoided arrest thanks to support from other leaders - since the warrant was issued he has visited Qatar, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, among other nations.Mr Bashir has avoided arrest thanks to support from other leaders - since the warrant was issued he has visited Qatar, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, among other nations.
And the African Union has consistently supported him.And the African Union has consistently supported him.
The AU's most senior diplomat, Jean Ping, has once again hit out at the ICC in the run-up to its decision, accusing the court of targeting African nations.The AU's most senior diplomat, Jean Ping, has once again hit out at the ICC in the run-up to its decision, accusing the court of targeting African nations.
"We are not for a justice with two speeds, a double standard justice - one for the poor, one for the rich; one for big nations and one for small nations," he said."We are not for a justice with two speeds, a double standard justice - one for the poor, one for the rich; one for big nations and one for small nations," he said.
Mr Bashir's government is accused of backing Arab militias who killed thousands of black African Darfuris.Mr Bashir's government is accused of backing Arab militias who killed thousands of black African Darfuris.
Mr Bashir has repeatedly said he had no control over the actions of people on the ground in Darfur at the height of the violence in 2003 and 2004.Mr Bashir has repeatedly said he had no control over the actions of people on the ground in Darfur at the height of the violence in 2003 and 2004.