Omar al-Bashir Will Be Charged For The 1989 Coup

Bashir waves to supporters in a rally in 1989.

Omar al-Bashir's  trial began today for the 1989 coup. While he has been charged for crimes against the civilians during protests and allegations of corruption,  this charge is different. His presidency was removed by extralegal means by the military. There was another coup in 2019, which saw his regime collapse. The protests were not enough to remove him from power, but loss of military support was. The trial cannot be fair or completely unbiased considering a new government was formed from another military coup. The court should seek to maintain a proper due process. There were suggestions that Omar al-Bashir could be put in custody of the ICC. This would be a mistake and undermine Sudanese sovereignty. If it is proven he committed crimes in Sudan, then a Sudanese court should charge him. Omar al-Bashir  can be charged for war crimes in the Second Sudanese Civil War and the intervention in Yemen. The only reason charges related to Yemen will be excluded is due to Saudi Arabia. Sudan continues to be involved in Saudi Arabia's war, despite reduction of troops. This withdraw could strain relations between Sudan and Saudi Arabia. Bashir's lawyers could use the current political situation and the fact he was not voted out of office to their advantage. The trial will certainly generate much interest and conversation throughout Africa.