Ethiopia’s Regional governor blasts ICC’s decision as “madness”

April 24, 2009 (MEKELLE) — President of the government of the national regional state of Tigray slammed decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) up on the Sudanese president as insane.

The remarks were made after Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir, who was in Ethiopia for a two day Ethiopia-Sudan high level joint commission meeting on Wednesday paid a short visit to the northern Tigray region.

“The measures taken by the ICC with regard to Darfur can only be characterized as madness” state president Tsegay Berhe said.

“It can neither serve for peace and stability in Sudan nor does it administer justice for the victims of Darfur.”

“We strongly believe it will not advance the cause of justice, human rights or resolve humanitarian problems in Darfur or in Sudan in general,” Tsegay added.

“We are saddened by this development” He said adding “We support the position of our government and that of the African Union and IGAD.”

Despite ICC’s march 4 issued arrest warrant president Bashir, defying the decision has paid foreign visits to 6 countries, Eritrea, Egypt, Libya, Qatar (to attend Arab league summit), Saudi Arabia and this week to neighboring Ethiopia.

From the beginning, Ethiopia which is not the member of the international criminal court institution ,has deplored the ICC resolution and repeatedly made itself clear that it would never accept calls to apprehend Al-Bashir. Ethiopia has led the Addis Ababa based AU delegation demanding on the UN Security Council to suspend the indictment.

Ethiopia and Sudan on Wednesday concluded their second annual high level meeting signing a number of cooperation agreements.

On Tuesday Ethiopian’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told the press that Sudan is Ethiopia’s highly valued partner and necessary instruments have been put in place to further boost their cooperation which is based on mutual interest.

Meles also reaffirmed that his government wouldn’t accept ICC’s decision, which he stressed is not for the reason of personal relation.

(ST)