Salva Kiir says ICC endangers Sudan’s peace process
July 17, 2008 (NAIROBI) — Salva Kiir Mayadrit, the leader of the former rebel movement said today accusations by ICC Prosecutor against the Sudanese President would endanger peace process and the affect democratic transition in the country.
ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo has accused President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of a campaign of genocide that killed 35,000 people outright, at least another 100,000 through a “slow death” and forced 2.5 million to flee their homes in Sudan’s western Darfur region.
He asked the ICC Pre-trial Chamber on Monday 14 July to issue an arrest warrant for Bashir on suspicion of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Sudan has dismissed Moreno-Ocampo’s accusations as politically motivated and said it will ignore any warrant.
The First Vice President of the republic said the national unity government dominated by the National Congress Party of President al-Bashir has to reach an understanding with the ICC over the current accusations. Further he urged a roadmap for peace in Darfur.
“We believe that the solution to the crisis is for the government of National Unity to forge an understanding with the international community and to cooperate with the ICC on the legal process,” Kiir said in a statement.
Before the indictment of President Omer al-Bashir this week, the SPLM called in the past on its partner to hand the two suspects in the first case to the ICC.
In his statement, Kiir called for an urgent resolution of the Darfur conflict, saying Sudan’s unity government should be able to come up with a Darfur peace road map within a week, after which consensus could be built on the way forward.
The leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) which is the partner of al Bashir’s party in the government of the National Unity following the signing of a peace deal in 2005, said that the ICC indictment “has understandably created a serious situation that could threaten peace and stability in the Sudan.”
He asserted that the southern Sudan ruling party is poised to contribute to reach a compromise between the national government and the international community.
“The SPLM is ready to avail its resources and effort, and in particular its external relations, regionally and internationally, for the purpose of achieving an understanding between the Government of National Unity and the international community,” Kiir said.
“We believe that the solution to the crisis is for the Government of National Unity to forge an understanding with the international community and to cooperate with ICC on the legal processes,” said Kiir.
The southern Sudanese leader said will “expedite efforts for a fair and comprehensive peaceful settlement of the Darfur crisis, which is a cornerstone and correct entry point to deal with other consequences of the crisis.”
Kiir underlined that the resolution of Darfur crisis which is a political issue, “requires a negotiated and peaceful settlement of the conflict between the parties.”
Yesterday day the Sudanese president appointed Salva Kiir at the head of a crisis committee to deal with his indictment by the ICC Prosecutor. The panel which includes the second vice president Ali Osman and the Senior Presidential assistant is charged with conducting diplomatic efforts and study the legal aspect of the accusations.
(ST)