Sudan’s Fight Against Financial Crimes: Uncovering Stashed Billions
A Priority for the New Government
Sudan’s former ruler, Omar al-Bashir, recently appeared in court facing corruption charges, with stacks of cash worth hundreds of millions of dollars seized from his home. However, it is believed that far more money was laundered away during his 30-year rule and stashed in banks abroad.
The Fight to Recover Lost Billions Begins
Ibrahim Elbadawi, a former World Bank expert and now finance minister in Sudan’s first civilian cabinet in three decades, has stated that recovering the missing money is a priority. He has already sought help from the United Nations in this effort.
Behind Every Grave Crime, There Is Always Money
According to lawyer Patrick Baudouin of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), “Behind every grave crime, there is always money.” The organization has accused French bank BNP Paribas of facilitating corruption and even crimes against humanity in Sudan’s western Darfur region.
Focus on BNP Paribas
The focus has landed on BNP Paribas, which was tried in a US court in 2016 for its role as the main bank of Bashir’s government from 1997 to 2007. The bank agreed to pay almost $9 billion to settle the charges but did not compensate Sudanese victims involved in bringing the case.
- A coalition of Sudanese groups and French human rights organizations is pushing authorities to investigate BNP Paribas for financial crimes, including laundering money abroad and handling the proceeds of crime.
- Victims claim that the bank facilitated oil sales, provided credit, and helped the government reach foreign money markets, enabling it to carry out human rights abuses.
Accusations Against BNP Paribas
The International Federation for Human Rights has accused BNP Paribas of assisting crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur. According to the organization, “behind every grave crime, there is always money.”
Other Banks Involved
BNP Paribas was not the only bank accused of handling Sudan’s government funds prior to the lifting of sanctions in 2017. American cables released by WikiLeaks documented American diplomats being told by ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo that British bank Lloyds might be holding or knowledgeable of Bashir’s money.
- The cable put the figure at possibly $9 billion, which would change Sudanese public opinion from seeing Bashir as a “crusader” to that of a thief.
- Other banks, including Barclays and Societe Generale, have also been fined for allegedly breaking sanctions to deal with Cuba, Iran, and Sudan.
Prosecution of Individual Directors or Staff Members
The African Center for Justice and Peace Studies director warns that individual directors or staff members may be prosecuted under international criminal law if sufficient evidence is found linking them to financial crimes.
Tracking Down Figures from Bashir’s Government
Tracking down figures from Bashir’s government for corruption is a top priority for the Forces for Freedom of Change (FFC), which helped spearhead the protest movement. The FFC has plans to begin interviewing witnesses in the coming month and promises to track down former ruling party members and government officials accused of corruption both inside and outside Sudan.
This article is available in French on Middle East Eye’s French edition.