Omar al-Bashir moved to northern Sudan hospital for better care

Omar al-Bashir, the former president of Sudan, has been moved to a hospital in Merowe, northern Sudan, for improved medical care. His lawyer reported that al-Bashir's health has been declining due to age-related issues and high blood pressure, necessitating regular medical check-ups. Alongside him, former Defense Minister Abdel-Rahim Muhammad Hussein, who suffers from heart problems, was also transferred to the same facility. Both men were previously held at a military base after a prison attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2022. Al-Bashir ruled Sudan for three decades before being ousted in 2019 during a popular uprising. He is currently wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for genocide and other serious crimes committed during the Darfur conflict in the 2000s, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 300,000 people and the displacement of millions. Despite these charges, Sudan's military rulers have refused to extradite him and others wanted by the ICC. The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2022 between the military and the RSF, has led to widespread violence and humanitarian crises, particularly in urban areas like Khartoum. The war has resulted in significant casualties, with estimates suggesting at least 20,000 deaths and tens of thousands injured. Human rights organizations have reported atrocities, including mass killings and sexual violence, further complicating the already dire situation in the country. The transfer of al-Bashir and Hussein to a better-equipped hospital raises questions about their treatment and the military's handling of former officials amid the ongoing conflict. As the situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, the international community remains concerned about the implications for justice and accountability for past crimes committed during al-Bashir's regime.