Sudan: Uncovering Financial Crimes of Former Ruler Omar al-Bashir

As Sudan’s former ruler Omar al-Bashir faces corruption charges, the fight to recover billions of dollars embezzled from his regime has begun. The government has vowed to pursue international banks accused of facilitating corruption and crimes against humanity.

International Efforts to Recover Stolen Funds

According to diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks in 2010, an International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation estimated that Bashir may have held up to $9 billion in British banks. French bank BNP Paribas is being targeted for its role as the main bank of Bashir’s government from 1997 to 2007.

Sudanese Victims Seek Justice

The Sudanese victims involved in bringing a case against BNP Paribas did not receive any compensation, sparking renewed efforts to hold the bank accountable. A coalition of Sudanese groups and French human rights organizations is pushing authorities to investigate the bank for financial crimes, including money laundering and handling the proceeds of crime.

“We want to make the voices of the Sudanese victims heard through this complaint,” said Masaad Mohamed Ali, executive director of the African Center for Justice and Peace Studies. “To this day, they have been denied the possibility of justice.”

BNP Paribas Accused of Facilitating Violence

BNP Paribas is accused of facilitating violence against Sudanese refugees by providing banking services to the sanctioned government. The bank’s alleged complicity in human rights abuses has led to calls for it to be held accountable.

“Behind the gravest crimes and human rights violations there is always money,” said Patrick Baudouin, president of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). “BNPP allowed the government to function, pay staff, military and security forces, make purchases abroad, all while Sudan was a pariah on the international scene.”

Other Banks Accused of Facilitating Corruption

Other banks accused of facilitating corruption and human rights abuses include British bank Lloyds and American bank Barclays. The African Center for Justice and Peace Studies has vowed to open more cases against other international banks that allegedly helped facilitate violence in Sudan.

Forces for Freedom of Change Vow to Hold Accountable Former Government Officials

The coalition of Sudanese political forces that helped oust Bashir, the Forces for Freedom of Change (FFC), has also promised to track down and hold accountable figures from Bashir’s government for corruption. The FFC plans to begin interviewing witnesses in the coming month.

“Some of the former ruling party’s leading members and government officials…who are accused of corruption have escaped,” said FFC spokesman Wagdi Salih. “But we will track them inside and outside the country.”