Sudan’s president arrives in Ethiopia amid Western boycott
April 21, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) — The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir arrived today in Addis Ababa heading a high level delegation to discuss bilateral issues with their Ethiopian counterparts at a two day high joint committee meeting.
Bashir was welcomed upon arrival at Bole international airport by the Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, senior government officials, diplomats and members of the Sudanese community in Ethiopia.
However several news agencies reports that some diplomats did not show up at the airport to receive the Sudanese president.
Voice of America (VOA) radio said that an unofficial count showed about 20 of the more than 50 African ambassadors in Addis Ababa showed up for the welcome ceremonies, along with envoys from China, North Korea, Cuba and Venezuela.
The United States, the European Union (EU) and most other countries boycotted the event. The boycott extends to a lavish state dinner hosted by Ethiopia’s president as well.
The reaction is likely linked to the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Bashir last month in connection with war crimes committed in the Darfur region.
Bashir has challenged the arrest warrant by make foreign trips to countries in the region. All the states he visited however are not legally obliged to apprehend them.
One African ambassador at the airport described to VOA the turnout as “an ironic show of solidarity” for a man facing war crimes charges.
The envoy, who asked not to be named, said it is ironic because many Africa leaders fear that if President Bashir can be prosecuted, they could be next.
President Bashir at the press conference dismissed the notion that the arrest warrant by ICC could restrict his travel and create negative influence in his country.
“We went to this summit to show those who said we couldn’t travel out side Sudan that we can travel outside Sudan” he said adding “nothing can intermediate us into stopping traveling”
Bashir believes that the ICC decision has actually brought positive contribution to his country.
“Unlike what people might think the issued arrest warrant has rather strengthen our bond with countries of African Union (AU), Arab league and also with international organizations” he said.
“It also has strengthened the unity of the Sudanese people” Bashir underscored.
Ethiopia’s prime minister to his side showed support to Sudan criticizing the ICC decision.
“The arrest warrant is over politicized and unacceptable” Zenawi said.
“It is over politicization of the humanitarian issue and over politicization of the international justice” he added.
Meles reaffirmed that Ethiopia remains to share the AU stand over the ICC row.
Both delegations held ministerial discussions on 17 different issues focused on security, economic cooperation and border issues.
Zenawi hailed the bilateral ties and improving economic relations between Sudan and Ethiopia. He said that extra importance has been attached to borders infrastructure development, particularly road link.
The Ethiopian premier commended Bashir for enhancing of ties saying that “it is our conviction that it is only mutual consideration that can ensure a bright future for all”.
He also said stressed that the implementation of the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) between North and South Sudan is critical, not only for peace in the Sudan but also for the eastern Africa region.
According to government sources a number of agreements will be signed on Wednesday between Ethiopian prime minister and the Sudanese president.
The Sudanese president will fly to Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region tomorrow before he returns home later on Wednesday.
(ST)