By Daniel M. Austin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

KHARTOUM, Sudan – The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) chief prosecutor has accused Sudan’s President of funneling billions of dollars in government funds to his personal bank accounts. Mr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the ICC’s chief prosecutor claims the theft could be as high as $9 billion (U.S. dollar). The Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir has vigorously denied these accusations and believes the charges are an attempt by Western powers to overthrow his government.

The chief prosecutor’s claim was made public when WikiLeak’s released diplomatic cables between the United States and the chief prosecutor. The purported theft was confirmed by Mr. Moreno-Ocampo when he spoke with Reuters news agency. Although the ICC could not determine precisely how much was taken, President Bashir is accused of having stolen anywhere between several hundred million dollars to as much as $9 billion. It is widely believed that at least some of the money was stolen from Sudan’s thriving oil economy. If the $9 billion figure is correct, it would be a staggering sum, accounting for nearly 10% of the country GDP.

Additionally, it is not known where the stolen funds are located. The Wikileak’s cable claims the money is stashed in several banks outside of Sudan and possibly in Lloyd’s Bank in London. To further complicate matters, the chief prosecutor is unsure of the funds whereabouts and Lloyd’s Bank in London claims Mr. Bashir’s is not an account holder with their bank.

Outside of this most recent accusation, the ICC has already issued two arrest warrants for President Bashir. He has been charged with numerous crimes related to the Sudanese civil war and in particular, the humanitarian crisis that took place in the Darfur region. Specifically, President Bashir has been charged with genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The indictment handed down by the International Criminal Court represents the first time a sitting head of state has been accused by this government body.  Mr. Moreno-Ocampo claims the financial dealings of President Bashir were uncovered during a thorough investigation into the atrocities that took place during the country’s seven year civil war.

According to the United Nations, the conflict in Sudan between President Bashir’s regime in the north and rebels in the south has led to over 300,000 deaths and the displacement of two million. These figures stand in stark contrast to Sudanese government figures, which claim 10,000 people have been killed in the fighting.

For more information, please see:

BBC –- Sudan’s President Bashir ‘siphoned off millions’ – ICC –18 December 2010

Daily Telegraph — WikiLeaks: Sudan’s president ‘stashed $9 billion’ — 18 December 2010 

Sudan Tribune -–Sudan President stashed billions in secret bank accounts, says ICC prosecutor -– 18 December 2010

VOA — Sudan President Accused of Hiding Billions of Dollars –- 18 December 2010