On 4 March 2009, the International Criminal Court (ICC) made history by issuing an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, charging him with war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the brutal conflict in Darfur.
This marked the first time a sitting head of state was indicted by the court, highlighting the growing reach of international justice.
The charges stemmed from a campaign of mass killings, forced displacement, and systematic violence against civilians, which had drawn global condemnation.
However, al-Bashir remained defiant, rejecting the charges and continuing to rule Sudan while securing support from regional allies who criticised the ICC’s decision as politically motivated.
