Sudan’s Kiir witnesses South Africa’s Zuma inauguration

May 9, 2009 (PRETORIA) — The First Vice-President Salva Kiir Mayadrit witnessed today Jacob Zuma’s inauguration as fourth President of the Republic of South Africa, since the end of Apartheid Regime.

Nearly 30 leaders were attending the ceremony, including several who have sparked protests from rights groups in the country, such as Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi, Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe, and North Korea’s number two Kim Yong-Nam.

Salva Kiir who arrived yesterday to represent the Sudanese government was accompanied by the minister of foreign affairs Deng Alor. South Africa officials said Bashir’s presence would force them to arrest him, based on the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court last March.

Also a SPLM delegation led by its secretary general Pagan Amum was at the at the inauguration venue at the Union Buildings in Pretoria where the festivities took place. South Africa ruling party the African National Congress (ANC) invited the SPLM and some other Sudanese political forces to attend the event.

Former President Thabo Mbeki was a supporter of the suspension of the ICC jurisdiction on Darfur crimes. It is not clear what would be the behavior of the newly elected President Zuma. But, Kiir is expected to hold talks with him urging his support for the CPA and Darfur peace process and the rejection of the ICC arrest warrant.

Jacob Zuma was elected as the President of South Africa on 22nd April 2009 with the support of the Communist Party, trade unions and ANC Youth League. These organizations had been marginalized by the former President Mbeki.

(ST)