Botswana affirms position on ICC warrant for Sudan president
October 24, 2009 (WASHINGTON) – The government of Botswana this week reiterated its support to bring Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir to justice.
The prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) accuse Bashir of masterminding a campaign to exterminate African tribes in Sudan’s Western region of Darfur.
The African Union (AU) has adopted a resolution last July instructing its members who are signatories of the Rome Statute, which is the founding text of ICC, not to cooperate in apprehending the Sudanese president.
However, Botswana dissented from the AU position and accused the Libyan leader Muammar Kaddafi of forcing the resolution upon the members without debates.
The Sudanese First Vice President Salva Kiir who is on a visit to Gaborone had lunch with Vice President Lt Gen. Mompati Merafhe, the Botswanaian foreign ministry said in a statement.
At the luncheon Merafhe said that the cause of the people of Southern Sudan was just and Botswana supports their fight against injustice as well as intolerance perpetrated by the North.
“It is for the same reason, that Botswana has found it fitting to pronounce its position on the indictment of President Al Bashir by the International Criminal Court,” he said.
Vice President Merafhe said impunity must not be tolerated, and the ICC must not be prevented from carrying out its mandate as per the Rome Statute.
The Botswanaian official stressed that his country “is certainly committed to seeing a Sudan at peace with itself as well as with all her neighbors”.
Kiir said that although Botswana was geographically far from Sudan, it has lessons which could be of importance to the people of Southern Sudan such as in management of resources.
This, he said, could be done through some formal exchange programmes such as in the areas of human resources development and in the management of natural resources
During his visit, the First Vice-President of Sudan paid a courtesy call to Botswanaian president on His Excellency the President Ian Khama.
Kiir was accompanied by the Presidential Advisor on Gender and Human Rights, Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior; Minister of Sudan People’s Liberation Army Affairs (SPLA), Lt. Gen. Nhial Deng Nhial; Minister of Regional Cooperation, General Oyay Deng Ajak; Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Samson Kwaje; Minister of Energy and Mining, Hon. John Jok and other senior government officials.
(ST)
Dinka Boy
Botswana affirms position on ICC warrant for Sudan president
Bashier must be arrested and hang like Saddam Hussein. Mr Iraq president was hang because of the similar destructions made by Omar El Bashier. Saddam Hussein exterminate or cleanse Kurds in Iraq. Likewise, Bashier make ethnic cleansing to the people of Darfur in 2003. Saddam was killed because he was very aggressive in the world views: he test chemical weapons to many countries ;for example, Kuwait, South Korea, and USA. Like Omar who have aggression with the people of Southern Sudan in which he ordered majihadins to attacked Southerners. Saddam Hussein was hang because he sponsored Bin Laden likewise Bashier who sponsored him and helped the trorrists to bomb Newyork and US embassy in Kenya too.
The two individuals i mention above have similar characteristics that ICC must treat the remainder with the similar to Saddam Hussein.
Thanks
Nile
Botswana affirms position on ICC warrant for Sudan president
Salva Kiir with his corrupted chronies traveling everywhere for no reason what will they bring back really to the people of southern Sudan that would be different from their usual travels?
mayor
Botswana affirms position on ICC warrant for Sudan president
I think things are going wrong with Black dog Oshay with his master Mohammed Bashir.
I can beleive he may remain silence not to say something about Botswana Government position agnist his master that is wanted by ICC.
however will wait until Bashir give him enough poo to bark at SPLM/A official as usually
what is going on wrongly with you Mr black dog Oshay? inform us pleas south soudan peoplse need to know what has come over you wrongly in yor kingdom garbage bin.
Critic_Ngueny
Botswana affirms position on ICC warrant for Sudan president
Dear Southerners,
Bashire must be arrested and so does my dear second man to GoSS because they have one thing in common.Killing of innocent people.
I don,t think so whether Botswana is meaning it actually.
Critic_Ngueny from Bor town
Solomon
Botswana affirms position on ICC warrant for Sudan president
The move by ICCJ is the good news for the people of Africa who are suffering form tyranny regimes led by ethno-centered individuals calling themselves (president or whatever) of a country. However, horrific news for those perpetuating ethno-centered agenda over entire population, indeed those living under such regimes know well about such individuals. I wanted to congratulate the people and the government of Botswana for the support the idea of ICCJ to bring Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir to justice.
This shows the commitment of the government of Botswana to human right and rule of law, and I call upon other democratic sates of Africa to follow suit with the government of Botswana.
Solomon from Ethiopia
MABIL
Botswana affirms position on ICC warrant for Sudan president
The position taken by the Botswana is not only a pride to the eyes of lovers of justice but also to those who are God fearing nation.No wonder Botswana was ranked position 4 in Africa according to Mo Ibrahim Foundation with regard to governance.The Libyan stance on President Bashir is totally dictatorial and would not yield to the so called united state of Africa.The Botswana people must be proud of their leaders.
Samson Shawel Ambaye
Botswana affirms position on ICC warrant for Sudan president
God be with ICC UNSC and government of Botswana for arrest warrant against Bashit.
stephen
Botswana affirms position on ICC warrant for Sudan president
Bravo Ian, you are the only AFRICA leader who is not yet bribed by the Arabs, keep on supporting the ICC for the seck of innocent people of durfur whom were been killed by the Arabs of northern sudan, leaves those coward africans leaders whom were bribed by the Jallaba, they may eat the money which means they are eatting the money that come from blood of innocent people darfur, but God will not leave them unpunished, may almighty God blessed you and your country support of ICC arrest of this criminal.