Sudan's President Omar Hassan Al-Beshir threatened on Sunday to expel diplomats and more aid groups, brandishing a sword at a Darfur rally days after a Hague court issued a warrant for him for war crimes. Sudan has already closed 13 foreign and three local aid groups saying they helped the International Criminal Court (ICC), which last week issued the arrest warrant for Al-Beshir over charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. “We expelled the organizations because they threatened the security of Sudan,” Al-Beshir told a rally in north Darfur. “We will expel anyone who goes against Sudanese law, whether they are voluntary organizations, diplomatic missions or security forces.” Al-Beshir waved his cane as he rallied the crowd, after a speech in which he insulted the court, poured scorn on the West and defended the decision to close down the humanitarian organizations. “Don't interfere in something that doesn't concern you,” Al-Beshir said. “Don't do anything that would harm the country's security and stability.” “Whoever deviates, we will kick them out... Every person has limits,” he added. Thousands of people, many riding horses and camels, waved banners and flags to greet Al-Beshir , who rode into the town, waving from the back of an open pick-up truck. Some members of the crowd taunted ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo. One man was seen leading a donkey with an Ocampo mask over its head, while others carried a model of a dog with Ocampo's name written on the side. The Sudanese president shouted a list of atrocities he said had been carried out by the West, from the mass killing of Native Americans during the foundation of the United States, to the bombings of Hiroshima, Vietnam and Iraq. “They killed millions of Indians ... Why are they not on trial,” he said. “The International Criminal Court and everyone who works for it are under my feet,” he added. Al-Beshir made his visit to Darfur as officials said the expulsion orders were “irreversible.” Foreign Ministry undersecretary Mutrif Siddig told the state Suna news agency that the aid groups' cooperation with the ICC had been “proved by evidence.” Siddig was also quoted by the Sudanese Media Centre as saying government agencies would cover the program left by the expelled aid groups, with help from remaining foreign and local organisations.
