Bashir will now preside over a January referendum on secession for Sudan's semi-autonomous south, which many analysts believe will result in independence for the oil-producing region.


The heads of at least five African states are expected to attend the swearing in, including Eritrea, Chad and Djibouti, but the ceremony puts European diplomats in a quandary, according to Reuters news agency.

Bashir is the only sitting president that has been indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes. The EU supports efforts by the ICC to bring Bashir to justice but is also keen to maintain dialogue to ensure the referendum is conducted peacefully.

"Diplomats attending al-Bashir's inaugural would be making a mockery of their governments' support for international justice," said Elise Keppler, International Justice Program senior counsel at Human Rights Watch.

The United Nations is sending its top two diplomats in the country, despite the call from the U.S.-based rights group.