By Cyprian Musoke

The indictment of Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir should be delayed until investigations by the African Union committee are completed, President Yoweri Museveni has said.

Bashir was indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes in the Darfur region of his country.

A committee headed by former South African President Thabo Mbeki has been proposed to investigate the matter.

Museveni advised Bashir to ensure that war rules are respected such as protection of civilians and punishing militia leaders who killing civilians. 

An ICC panel of judges is also reviewing the evidence to determine whether there are reasonable grounds to try Bashir. It would be the court’s first indictment of a sitting head of state.

Denying all the charges, Khartoum has refused to cooperate with the ICC.