Sudan hails Vatican position on Doha accord and ICC

February 23, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese foreign ministry today welcomed support voiced by the Vatican to the Doha agreement signed between Khartoum and the Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) this month.

The foreign ministry spokesperson Ali Al-Sadiq said that the Vatican’s position signifies the “substantial” approval to the accord made by the international community.

Al-Sadiq said that Sudan seconds calls by the Pope Benedict XVI for the international community to work towards peace in Darfur “away from pressure, threats and political blackmailing”.

The pro-government Sudanese media center (SMC) website quoted Pope Benedict XVI as saying that the international community must “focus on peace for Sudan as a priority rather than concentrating on International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings”.

The SMC website claimed that the Pope made the statements during his meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Next week the ICC judges are set to decide on an application by prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo filed last July requesting the issuance of an arrest warrant for Bashir on three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder.

Ocampo accused Al-Bashir of masterminding a campaign to get rid of the African tribes in Darfur; Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa.

Sudan has warned of negative repercussions of the ICC move on peace prospects in the Darfur region.

(ST)