Egypt FM challenges ICC to execute warrant against Sudan’s Bashir

April 15, 2009 (CAIRO) – The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Aboul-Gheit again criticized the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the arrest warrant issued for Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir last month.

“The ICC will not be able to force on the government in Sudan to cooperate with its decision and this clear” he added.

Egypt has been one of the lead countries to object to the Judges’ decision on the Bashir and have also been one of half a dozen countries to receive the Sudanese president after the indictment.

The Egyptian foreign minister in the past has said that the arrest warrant is an issue not endorsed by the UN Security Council (UNSC) and can therefore be discounted.

The UNSC issued resolution 1593 referring the Darfur situation to the ICC and decided that Sudan government and warring parties will cooperate with it. However Khartoum refused to recognize the jurisdictions of the court.

“The ICC will not be able to move in against Bashir or the government in Sudan and this is clear. On the other hand I don’t expect the UNSC will deal with this issue firmly” the Egyptian top diplomat said.

“There are powers that refuse the move of the ICC or its prosecutor against president Bashir” he added.

Some observes pointed out that Egypt’s main worry over the ICC warrant against Bashir that his 2nd Vice President Ali Osman Taha would take over bringing hard-line Islamists back to power.

Taha is the secretary general of the Islamic movement in Sudan and he was considered one of Turabi’s closest figures in the 90’s.

Aboul-Gheit said that there is a “period of calm” that should be utilized to bring the Darfur warring parties together.

Egypt has proposed an international conference on Darfur but Sudanese officials have expressed reluctance saying peace talks that started in the Arab Gulf state of Qatar with Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

Qatari foreign minister has hinted that Cairo is competing against his country in leading Darfur peace initiatives.

(ST)