South Sudan’s Kiir backs Kenya’s Uhuru against ICC charges
May 23, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir said on Thursday he will strongly support his Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta in his bid to overcome the crimes against humanity charges he faces at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
However, Kiir said his country remains opposed to joining the Hague-based court, which he said, only targets African leaders in its prosecution role.
“The ICC seems appears like it was meant for African leaders and that they have to be humiliated,” said the South Sudan leader, who was flanked by his Kenyan counterpart.
“We will never accept it [ICC],” he stressed.
Kiir, who hosted the Kenyan leader in the capital, Juba on Thursday, further said the entire South Sudanese citizens will work together with their brother and sisters in Kenya to overcome the ICC issue.
Kenya and South Sudan, in August last year, signed a memorandum of understanding to develop and expand a framework of cooperation and partnership between the two states on the principle of equality, mutual benefit, mutual understanding, respect and trust.
The areas of cooperation included the development of a crude oil pipeline between the oil fields of South Sudan and the port of Lamu in Kenya.
Meanwhile, Kenyatta assured his South Sudan counterpart of Kenya’s commitment to implement a memorandum of understanding the two nations signed last year to build an oil pipeline between the two neighbours.
A halt in South Sudan’s oil production, early last year, prompted the land locked country to devise alternative ways of managing its oil resources, which account for nearly 98% of the country’s annual budget.
(ST)