No more Malesh we welcome the ICC move

Sudan is known for its laid-back attitude, often summed up by the word “Malesh,” which means “never mind” or “it doesn’t matter.” But that’s changing. Now, justice is what matters, and it must not only be served but seen to be served. This is the first step towards a just and stable Sudan, where the people can live in peace and security.

The regime’s reaction to the ICC’s move was as predictable as the final days of the infamous Numairi regime. Omar al-Bashir and his supporters might have fooled themselves into believing they could get away with their old tricks, but not everyone was so gullible. Some of his followers are beginning to realize that justice is catching up with them, and they can no longer twist their way out of accountability.

It worries me to think that these criminals are Sudanese or, even worse, Muslims. It’s as if they’ve become numb to the crimes they’ve committed, or that they’ve ordered, or that were carried out by their loyalists. How do they sleep at night?

Like many Sudanese, I feel ashamed by the tarnishing of our country’s name, stained with words like “terrorist,” “fanatic,” “racist,” “genocide,” and “starvation.” This is what the regime has brought upon us, and it needs to end.

For nearly four decades, we’ve been sickened by the lack of accountability among these military dictators and their cronies, and even more by the militias, warlords, and financial criminals who have made our lives miserable. Since the honorable uprising of March-April 1985, there has been a daily prayer whispered by the starving, the homeless, and those in refugee camps: “Rabana yantagim lina min Al-sadanah Tujar Al-Aish wa El-Deen.” In other words, “God, avenge us from the regime’s fanatics, the religious manipulators, and the merchants of grain.” This is why the regime’s leaders must face justice, and why every honest Sudanese has a duty to ensure that the promise of the 1985 uprising is not broken.

There are a million reasons why ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo should add more names to the list of Sudanese war criminals. Despite the noise and confusion created by fanatical protesters, this is no longer a matter of nationalism. We’ve tried to reason with the regime, explaining that the root of Sudan’s crisis lies with them. But they didn’t care about anyone’s feelings, even when we spoke their language.

Sudan has seen no peace since these fanatics with their imported ideologies took power. For centuries, our people adhered to Sufi traditions, embracing tolerance with Christians and Jews, whom Islam considers “People of the Book.” Yet during this regime, these precepts offered little protection for non-Muslims and even less for those in places like Darfur.

The ICC’s focus on human rights violations and religious oppression is just the beginning. There is a criminal network of thousands who have siphoned off Sudan’s resources, hiding their loot in banks abroad. That’s why we call on the international banking system, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Malaysia, Japan, China, South Africa, Egypt, and the Gulf States, to take a stand against these financial crimes.

As for the ongoing war in Darfur, it’s clear that neither the warring factions nor the international community is seriously interested in ending it. Rebel leaders who have stained their hands with the blood of their own people should not be mistaken for a hopeful future.

The international community must step up, not only to protect the people of Darfur but also to ensure the safety of aid workers and international troops on the ground. The people of Sudan are smoldering, waiting for a spark to ignite them into action.

Finally, if peace is to prevail, the 1990 Cairo Agreement must be implemented, ensuring that no party or group can stand for election on religious, tribal, or racial lines. The future of Sudan depends on it.