Sudanese president to stay away from Nigeria summit
October 23, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir will not attend the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council session that will be held in Abuja, Nigeria next week.
A controversy erupted this week after it was revealed that Bashir was invited by the Nigerian government to attend with promises that he will not be arrested in light of the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for him.
Nigeria is a state party to the Rome Statute which established the court but is also one of the AU countries that decided last July that they will not cooperate in apprehending the Sudanese president.
A source in the Nigerian government told Agence France Presse (AFP) that Bashir is “still considering the invitation, afraid we may turn him in, which will not happen”.
“Hand him over to who when he is invited by the AU?” he added.
Asked to confirm if the Sudanese president was invited, Nigerian Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe said he was not going “to speculate on who is invited and who is not”.
The Nigerian based NEXT online news portal quoted “reliable diplomatic sources” in Abuja as saying that the government does not want to break ranks with the AU yet seeking to fulfill international obligation.
“My reasoning is that government is merely inviting Sudan as a country with a veiled message that someone higher in the Sudanese government but not Bashir would be the welcomed guest,” said the source.
“As one of the main issues to be discussed will be on Darfur” he added.
However, Amnesty International condemned the invitation and urged Nigeria to arrest Bashir once he sets foot in the country.
Nigeria joins South Africa and Uganda in the list of African ICC member countries the Sudanese president has shied away from despite receiving invitations to visit.
Since the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Bashir last March, he has been to seven countries – Eritrea, Egypt, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe — none of which are signatories to the ICC treaty.
Last month Al-Bashir’s adviser Ghazi Salah Al-Deen told Associated Press in an interview that the ICC arrest warrant forced his boss to limit his movements abroad.
(ST)
oshay
Sudanese president to stay away from Nigeria summit
It is a shame for the president to lead a country as a pariah and a suspected war criminal. If he truly in his heart believes that he is innocent, resign from the presidency and allow the Sudanese Judiciary to investigate all crimes that took place in Darfur and who bore their responsibility. If you believe the ICC will not give a fair trial, let the Sudanese do it without you having any influence over their affairs.
Only this way can the Sudanese see who’s innocent and who’s guilty.
I do not and will not support any form of European justice, so presently, if it means he stays like this and evades the ICC I’m very happy with that.
Mohammad100
Sudanese president to stay away from Nigeria summit
Dear all,
It is the typical Sudanese pride whether from North or South to protect the Sudanese self image to go against all the odds. But Omar ElBishir does not enjoy that luxury of exercising his Sudanese pride, because he upheld the massacre of other part of Sudanese people(the Darfur) by the other sectors of the Sudanese populations. A National president who failed in that category of protecting the disadvantaged sector of the society, does not deserve to enjoy the Nation’s especial identity.
Asalaam aleikum,
Mohammad.
Dinka Boy
Sudanese president to stay away from Nigeria summit
I absolutley agree that this Bashier is not a president.
He always turndown several meeting that he suppose to attended. Why you often fear the meetings while you as a president can share views with others African Presidents.
You Mr Bashier, you are coward. Why refuse attending meetings and you think of being a president of Sudan.
If you always feel suspicious of death, then it will followed you till.
Thanks
BUSTA 2
Sudanese president to stay away from Nigeria summit
H.E Bashir we Sudanese are behind!!!
Western countries have taken law in their hand to abuse our presidend to that extend no problem H.E your Allah will prove you innocently.
We don’t have capable person to attend that Nigeria summit leave alone Cowboy who have failed to bring peace to South Sudan.
Brother in Christ,
Busta 2
Kur
Sudanese president to stay away from Nigeria summit
If Bashir attempts to go to Nigeria, he will be arrested on spot. This situation sends a clear signal to the Sudanese voters that they must think twice before voting next year. I think we all agree that a fugitive war criminal cannot lead Sudan.
Kur
David_N
Sudanese president to stay away from Nigeria summit
It’s the wise decision by President Al-Bashier.
Thank You.
The Nigerian summit?
It’s TRASH for SUDAN and EGYPT, even with IRAQ.
Thank You Al-Bashir, not to defile the name of SUDAN to attend y-haplogroup R1 summit, which is the closest relatives of caucasoid haplogroup R1a and R1b caucasian afro bantu summit only finds in North Eastern Nigeria and Northern Cameroon.
Which is UGLY!
And you don’t want to touch it.
Samson Shawel Ambaye
Sudanese president to stay away from Nigeria summit
God be with ICC and UNSC. Why members of government of Sudan do not elect a new President of transitional government? Presidency of Bashir is less than bearing name. May be members of Sudanese government are either his slaves or he has magical control over them or they are fearful for bringing election issue to be one of top agendas of their government to send their true and new president to represent Sudan every where and to arrest Bashir through ICC.