From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Sat Jul 17 2010 - 17:07:32 EDT
*AU boss voices concern over ICC decision on President al Bashir *
*APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) *The Chairperson of the African Union (AU)
Commission, Jean Ping, on Saturday expressed concern about the new decision
of the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on
Sudanese leader Omar al Bashir and its impact on the ongoing peace processes
in Sudan.
"The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU) has learned of
the decision of Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court
(ICC), which, following an application by the ICC Prosecutor, issued a
second warrant of arrest against the Sudanese President Omar Hassan
Al-Bashir, on charges of genocide," said the commission statement.
It is to be recalled that last week the ICC issued a second arrest warrant
against Bashir, including new genocide charges.
"This decision, which confirms AU’s previous concerns, came at a particular
time marked by progress in the democratic transformation of the Sudan,
following the April 2010 general elections, and renewed efforts towards the
completion of the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA),
including the holding of the self-determination referendum in South Sudan
and negotiations on post-referendum arrangements, as well as towards the
search for a lasting and inclusive political solution to the crisis in
Darfur," said Ping in the statement.
The decision also comes at a time when the AU, through the African Union
High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), is carrying out consultations with
the Government of Sudan and other stakeholders on how best to proceed with
the implementation of the recommendations put forward by the AU High-Level
Panel on Darfur (ALIPD) on justice, reconciliation and healing. "These
efforts are informed by the AU’s commitment to fighting impunity, in line
with its Constitutive Act and other relevant instruments.
“The Chairperson of the Commission notes that neither the United Nations
International Commission of Inquiry, nor the former AU Mission in Sudan
(AMIS) and the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) upheld the
accusation of genocide in Darfur," added the commission quoting Ping.
"The AU is of the conviction that this new and untimely decision by the ICC
and its action in general on Sudan are counterproductive, and will
complicate the ongoing efforts and increase the risk of instability, with
far-reaching consequences for Sudan, the region and Africa as a whole,” the
statement says.
*DT/daj/APA *
2010-07-17
http://www.apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=128527
2010-07-17
AU boss voices concern over ICC decision on President al Bashir
APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) The Chairperson of the African Union (AU)
Commission, Jean Ping, on Saturday expressed concern about the new decision
of the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on
Sudanese leader Omar al Bashir and its impact on the ongoing peace processes
in Sudan.
"The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU) has learned of
the decision of Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court
(ICC), which, following an application by the ICC Prosecutor, issued a
second warrant of arrest against the Sudanese President Omar Hassan
Al-Bashir, on charges of genocide," said the commission statement.
It is to be recalled that last week the ICC issued a second arrest warrant
against Bashir, including new genocide charges.
"This decision, which confirms AU’s previous concerns, came at a particular
time marked by progress in the democratic transformation of the Sudan,
following the April 2010 general elections, and renewed efforts towards the
completion of the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA),
including the holding of the self-determination referendum in South Sudan
and negotiations on post-referendum arrangements, as well as towards the
search for a lasting and inclusive political solution to the crisis in
Darfur," said Ping in the statement.
The decision also comes at a time when the AU, through the African Union
High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), is carrying out consultations with
the Government of Sudan and other stakeholders on how best to proceed with
the implementation of the recommendations put forward by the AU High-Level
Panel on Darfur (ALIPD) on justice, reconciliation and healing. "These
efforts are informed by the AU’s commitment to fighting impunity, in line
with its Constitutive Act and other relevant instruments.
“The Chairperson of the Commission notes that neither the United Nations
International Commission of Inquiry, nor the former AU Mission in Sudan
(AMIS) and the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) upheld the
accusation of genocide in Darfur," added the commission quoting Ping.
"The AU is of the conviction that this new and untimely decision by the ICC
and its action in general on Sudan are counterproductive, and will
complicate the ongoing efforts and increase the risk of instability, with
far-reaching consequences for Sudan, the region and Africa as a whole,” the
statement says.
DT/daj/APA
2010-07-17
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