Government says Bashir to attend Sudan–Ethiopia meeting
March 25, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The foreign ministry has confirmed that Sudanese President would attend the annual meeting of joint committee between Sudan and Ethiopia next month.
President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity and war crimes was due to travel to the Ethiopian capital on March 10, six days after the issuance of the arrest warrant on March 4.
However March meeting was cancelled at the time and no explanation had been provided by the two sides. Bashir, who is the first sitting president to be indicted by the ICC, visited Eritrea on March 23 and Egypt today to defy the world court.
The pro-ruling National Congress Party Akhir Lahza reported today that the Director of Border and Foreigners Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ahmed Tigani Ahmed Alamin confirmed that Bashir would lead the Sudanese delegation to the Sudan-Ethiopia Higher Committee conference.
Alamin on Tuesday discussed with the Ethiopian Chargé d’affaires Gabr Issyassi the preparations for the meetings of the Joint Commission between the two countries. Bashir and the Ethiopian Prime Minister Zenawi would lead the two delegations.
Ethiopia is not a member of the ICC’s Rome Statute and is therefore under no legal obligation to arrest Bashir. Also Ethiopian officials said not concerned by the ICC decision.
In his defiance of the ICC’s arrest warrant, the Sudanese president is expected to travel to Doha within five days to attend the Arab League summit hosted by Qatar.
(ST)