KHARTOUM-Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Sunday vowed to destroy institutions of injustice and liberate Africa from “modern colonialism,” whether politically or economically.

Al-Bashir made the remarks when addressing a mass rally at Khartoum airport upon his arrival from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“Western countries do not know that I represent the Sudanese people. We are bigger than the oppressors and arrogant circles,” said al-Bashir.

He added that “we will break all institutions of injustice and liberate Africa from the modern colonialism, whether politically or economically. We stand firm like mountains and we will not be broken.”

On March 2009, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against al-Bashir for allegedly committing war crimes in Sudan’s Darfur region.

However, Sudan refuses to deal with the warrant, saying it is not a signatory of the Rome Statute.

Earlier, President Bashir was awarded Champion of African Pride title by the Addis Ababa University. The forum was held at the university from Tuesday to Friday.

The initiative aims to base African development efforts on African indigenous knowledge systems. “African dignity, which is deeply entrenched in the original culture of the African people, has consistently struggled against all forms of suppression,” he said.

“African leaders must take practical steps towards the respect of mechanisms of African justice to enhance African dignity and human rights.”

The initiative was launched in partnership with the United Nations University for Peace.