Uganda, South Sudan say ICC deferral should be linked to peace accords
March 12, 2009 (KAMPALA) — The Ugandan president and his South Sudan counterpart agreed today that suspending indictment of Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir must be linked to implementation of peace agreements in the country.
“For the UN Security Council (UNSC) to call for the deferment of the indictment, it will have to be tied to the performance of the peace process in southern Sudan and Darfur” Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said at a press conference with South Sudan president Salva Kiir in Kampala.
Article 16 of the Rome Statute allows the UNSC council to suspend the ICC prosecutions in any case for a period of 12 months that can be renewed indefinitely.
Kiir agreed with Museveni saying he sees “no better option” but stressed that he will not carry out the arrest warrant against Bashir.
“It is not my responsibility to hand him over. He’s [Bashir] is my president and I’m the vice president” Kiir said.
“I’m not the police of the ICC” the Sudanese First Vice President added.
Last week the ICC judges issued an arrest warrant for Bashir on seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which include murder, rape and torture. The three-judge panel said it had insufficient grounds for genocide.
Museveni’s statements signal first remarks by an African leader not condemning the ICC move against Bashir. Last month the African Union (AU) issued a statement backing Sudanese president and calling on UNSC to halt the ICC move.
Furthermore some African politicians criticized the Hague-based court saying it is prosecuting Africans only.
This year Uganda, a member of the ICC, has assumed a non-permanent seat in the UNSC. UN diplomats say that Sudan lacks the required nine votes for an Article 16 resolution.
Asked about the issue of arresting Bashir, Museveni appeared non-committal despite a legal obligation under the court statute to execute the warrant.
“What options are there? Definitely there is handing over, yes. We can work in that literal way. But given the complications of having someone who is running a country, you also have to look at other options” he said.
“I don’t want to condemn Bashir, nor do I want to condone his actions” he added.
The statements by both Kiir and Museveni will likely anger Khartoum as the latter has aggressively sought to rally internal and external support in its confrontation with the ICC.
(ST)
manyok R
Uganda, South Sudan say ICC deferral should be linked to peace accords
Slava Kiir cannot says one thing here and says another there.This new statement is totally inconsistent to what he said last week in Juba regarding al Bashir’s arrest. There got to be one way of dealing with a certain tough issuses such as Al Bashire’s an arrest warrant so that we work together in one systematic way.
Kwaje D
Uganda, South Sudan say ICC deferral should be linked to peace accords
What’s up Kiir? Don’t tell us that u are vice president for everyone knows. What is needed is a permenant position then compromising statements you always give. Otherwise; both of you will go to the Hague for war crimes and corruptions charges!
biarawieu
Uganda, South Sudan say ICC deferral should be linked to peace accords
Hi Mayardit, you warned the sudanese congregation at the Kator Cathedral last week that not be panic about al-bashir his arrest warrant issued by the ICC.
let me not lies to you honestly, Sudanese in general gonna warned you, stick in what you are saying, and you don,t need to be scared, bashir is a human being.
and there is one question i just want to asked you what is your connection with this criminal man (museveni) he is a dealer and he gone be next after al-bashir. please let this man shut his mouth and think carefully about what will help the sudanese or south sudanese people in this situation.
Bior-raandu
Uganda, South Sudan say ICC deferral should be linked to peace accords
Hey everybody!
You need ten years more time to understand the Language of the President, Mayardit before you condemn him. Wait your turn to be a president, so that you can air out everything like the way you expected. Plse shut up, non of you is qualified to correct his decisions.
The boy whose people like his future
Rev. Asist Otulo
Uganda, South Sudan say ICC deferral should be linked to peace accords
Hi Mr. Kiir,
Mr. President, I hope what you said in your Statements, you mean what you say. You’re correct to say that, you’re not the ICC’s law enforcement. On my side I would like to say to you and the fellow Southern Sudanese that, you’re right to say that way, because if ICC wanted to arrest Omer Hassan Al-Bashir, they could come to Sudan and arrest him the same way Bush arrested Saddam.
Mr. Salva Kiir you are honest in what you say, but one my side I desire, Bashir must be arrest and taking to the count of law. I know it is not your responsibility to hand him over. But we the Southerners want to hear your voice.