Kenya backs AU decision on ICC over Sudan

2008-07-18 17:34:57 [ Big Normal Small ]    　Comment

NAIROBI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Kenya supports the decision taken by the African Union (AU) on the issue of accusations of genocide leveled against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka said caution needs to betaken on the matter, saying it was premature for the International Criminal Court at The Hague to issue warrant of arrest on President Omar El Bashir of Sudan.

Musyoka who spoke late Thursday noted that arresting the Sudanese President would further complicate the matters and may jeopardize peace efforts by the international community.

"We arresting the Sudanese President would complicate the matters further and this may jeopardize peace efforts by the international community," Musyoka told visiting Japanese Members of Parliament, led by the Chairman of the Japan - Africa Parliamentary Association, Tetsuro Yano, who paid him a courtesy call.

ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo on Monday accused Bashir of masterminding a genocidal campaign against three ethnic groups in Darfur and requested an arrest warrant on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Musyoka said Kenya has been at the forefront in seeking a lasting and peaceful solution to the Sudanese crisis and does not want to see the country degenerate into a total turmoil.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said Thursday accusations made by the International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir are "very dangerous."

Abul Gheit made the remarks at a press conference with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah after a meeting of the Egyptian-Kuwaiti joint committee, the state MENA news agency reported.

Justice can only be achieved in Sudan through a political settlement, said Abul Gheit, stressing the importance of achieving stability and justice in the country.

Abul Gheit expected Arab foreign ministers, who were scheduled to discuss the disputes between Sudan and the Hague-based ICC on Saturday, to adopt a clear stance in this regard.

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