Sudanese president canceled visit to Tanzania: reports
December 13, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir has reportedly cancelled a trip he was planning to make to Tanzania last week.
Tanzania along with Uganda has recently voted against Sudan’s bid to join the East African Community (EAC) citing concerns over Khartoum’s democratic practices and its treatment of women as well as geographic proximity.
Bashir was apparently planning to participate in the celebrations marking Tanzania’s 50th Independence Day which took place last Friday.
But the visit was called off last minute for coinciding with swearing in ceremony of new cabinet and was to be rescheduled.
This would have been the fifth country visited by the Sudanese leader that is a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Bashir is the first sitting president indicted by the ICC, which issued an arrest warrant on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region.
Tanzania would have been legally obligated to arrest Bashir should he step foot in the country according to the court’s statute.
But Tanzanian officials in the past have said they will not honor the warrant in line with the African Union (AU) decisions ordering its members not to apprehend Bashir.
“Much as we don’t condone impunity, if pursuit for justice was in conflict with pursuit for peace, peace must prevail” Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Bernard Membe was quoted as saying last year.
Membe added that Bashir is a key player in the pursuit for peace in Sudan and that arresting him now would undermine peace efforts.
This week ICC judges reported Malawi and Chad to the United Nations Security Council and the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute for failing to arrest the Sudanese president when he visited.
The ruling issued by the judges faulted both countries for relying on the AU resolution stressing that only the Pre-Trial Chamber can make a determination that a country can be relieved of its obligations due to conflict with other treaties related to diplomatic immunity.
They also rejected any immunity for Bashir given his status as an individual wanted by an international court and referred to the case filed by the Congo against Belgium with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) more than a decade ago.
(ST)
J P Puok
Sudanese president canceled visit to Tanzania: reports
Wow! my goodness. it could have been a country without head of state, minister of defence and a minister in the presidental affairs bcse Bakri Hassan Sallah is the former minister of defence. who knows he may be of the 51 acused.
The simple equation could balance like this have they dare to travell to Tanzania 51-3=49
Lorolokin
Sudanese president canceled visit to Tanzania: reports
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha , Basher atleast coming to an end and what will happen to Mohammed Ali , Jallaby Abu jalabiya , Oshay and the so called Sin Eto ? LOL
Kinkak.
Man manning
Sudanese president canceled visit to Tanzania: reports
Nepeet!!!! Motherfuckers would have cursed the day they were borne had they attempt the trip.Mohammed Ali and the like would no longer exist in ST forum.
man to man
Sudanese president canceled visit to Tanzania: reports
Wahale, brother JP puok, I saw your comment to my wife, she laughed up to tear. Yes those on N sudan will stay soon without thier heat of state.
Matung Neng-neng
Sudanese president canceled visit to Tanzania: reports
I am hopping to come to Khartoum this year, when? Whenever I can afford to buy my air ticket as well as when I finished my long distance training course on electrical and electronic. This new hope lay on, the highest drive politice in the United State which was rapidly made base on no justication is now coming back to normal where USA Government may stop putting too much pressure on Sudan.
Matung Neng-neng
Sudanese president canceled visit to Tanzania: reports
I am hopping after USA Government stop such no just polical pressure maybe peace stability, economic development and re-unification of our may come possible.
I am always dreaming of Re-unification of our beloved country Sudan, expel of Foreign Occoupants and renewing of old Sudan laws and administrations will make my title sound sweety. I am praying and looking forward. Cheer this good news with.