Kenya opposes indictment of Sudan president

Jul 20, 2008

The Kenyan government has asked the international community to reject the indictment of Sudanese president Omar El-Bashir by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

By Reuben Olita
in Nairobi

The Kenyan government has asked the international community to reject the indictment of Sudanese president Omar El-Bashir by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Kenya’s vice-president Kalonzo Musyoka told journalists in Nairobi on Friday after meeting the Sudanese ambassador to Kenya, Majok Guandong, that the ICC move would threaten the on-going implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

The agreement was signed between the Khartoum government and the SPLA to resolve over three decades of conflict.

Musyoka said the indictment was ill-timed, raised many diplomatic and legal issues given that it was directed at a sitting head of state and would worsen an already delicate situation.

Kenya, Musyoka noted, was in favour of persuasive means to resolve the Darfur crisis, especially through the African Union (AU).

“It is wrong to regard the move by the AU as mere peer support, but rather as a decision that is informed by their appreciation of the delicate situation in Sudan,” Kalonzo said.

The ICC last week issued the indictment against Bashir for crimes against humanity and aiding a slow genocide in Darfur.

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