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Sudanese president free to attend AU Summit: Rwandan FM

Xinhua, July 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is free to attend the African Union's (AU) Head of States meeting in Kigali later in the week, said the Rwanda foreign minister on Thursday.

Rwandan Minister for Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo said that as a member state of the AU, Sudan's leader will be accorded the necessary security like any other President who will be attending the sessions.

"President Bashir is a leader of African country and is free to attend the meeting since Rwanda has no right to arrest him," Mushikiwabo said in Kigali.

President Bashir is accused of organizing war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an international arrest warrant by the countries he visits to enable him to stand trials in the Hague.

Mushikiwabo noted that since Rwanda is not adhered to the Rome statute, the country has no right to arrest President Bashir.

She said that many governments in Africa are dissatisfied by the ICC because it has become a politicized court against the expectations that it was founded upon.

"ICC issue is part of the agenda to be discussed during the Heads of States meeting and some countries have hinted at withdrawing from the court," she said.

She observed that countries that intend to withdraw are in the process of following the right procedures before pulling out.

She also confirmed that the ongoing tension in Southern Sudan is due to be discussed with the heads of states with a view to sending peacekeepers in the country, adding the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is also expected to meet with African leaders on the South Sudan issue later in the week.

Mushikiwabo also allayed fears that the anticipated postponement of the elections of the AU chairperson and commissioners will proceed as earlier planned.

This follows a request by a section of member states from the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) to have the elections postponed for a few months.

"Six out of eight commissioners' terms of service are ending and therefore postponing the elections will leave unnecessary gap in the leadership," she said. Endit