I am quite concerned and agitated about the current media coverage in Sudan which refers to a claimed “submission from two Sudanese Groups” to the ICC that might affect/delay the decision by the judges of the Pre-Trial Chamber on the case against Omar al-Bashir.

My questions are 1) What are these groups and is it not very likely that they are the creation of the regime in Sudan? 2) What gives them the legitimacy to represent the Sudanese people, not to say the persecuted people of Darfur in this specific matter? 3) On what grounds do they base their motion? and 4) Does the ICC mechanism really allow for such maneuvers from state-associated groups to affect and influence its decisions and proceedings towards the system which is under question and accusation?

I am aware that the international community is anxious and concerned about a similar state failure or staged violence as a result of the court decision, but is that strong reason enough to compromise justice and the rightful cause of Darfur? What counteractions could the movements in Darfur or in the Sudanese political arena, or even the people of Darfur and their supporters do to counter-balance the effects of this motion?