Omar al-Bashir

Date of Birth: January 1, 1944

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Biography

Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir was born on January 1, 1944, in Hosh Bannaga, Sudan. A career military officer, al-Bashir rose to prominence in Sudanese politics when he led a successful coup in 1989, overthrowing the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi. He established himself as President of Sudan, a position he held until 2019 when he was overthrown following months of civil protests. During his three-decade rule, al-Bashir’s administration was marked by significant internal conflict, including the Second Sudanese Civil War and the Darfur conflict. His government was accused of human rights violations, leading to his indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in connection with the Darfur conflict. Despite international condemnation, al-Bashir managed to retain power through a combination of military strength and political maneuvering until his eventual ousting. After his removal from office, he was tried and convicted on corruption charges in Sudan and is currently facing further trials for his role in the Darfur atrocities.

5 Interesting Facts about Omar al-Bashir

1. Omar al-Bashir came to power in Sudan through a military coup in 1989 and ruled for 30 years.

2. He was the first sitting president to be indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

3. Al-Bashir’s rule saw the secession of South Sudan in 2011, which became an independent country after a referendum.

4. He was overthrown in 2019 following months of protests triggered by economic hardships and demands for political reform.

5. After his ousting, al-Bashir was convicted of corruption charges in Sudan and is awaiting further trials for his role in the Darfur conflict.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Omar al-Bashir

1. “I will not hand over any Sudanese national to the International Criminal Court.”

2. “We will not kneel; we will not be broken.”

3. “The Sudanese people need peace and stability, and I am committed to achieving this.”

4. “We are not against the people of Darfur; we are against the rebels who are destroying our country.”

5. “The West has no moral authority to lecture us on human rights.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his power, Omar al-Bashir’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 billion, largely accumulated through alleged corrupt practices and embezzlement.