Kenya Referendum
Sudan's leader ‘honoured’ to attend fete
Hezron Njoroge | NATION Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir (centre) speaks to an aide after attending the historic promulgation of the new Constitution at Uhuru Park last Friday.
Posted Monday, August 30 2010 at 22:00
In Summary
- Country was represented by the President, not the First Vice- President, for protocol reasons
The government of Sudan on Monday expressed its gratitude to Kenya for inviting President Omar Hassan al-Bashir to the constitution promulgation fete last week.
A statement from the Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan in Nairobi said the President was “honoured” to participate in the celebrations.
“Highlighting the importance of this historic event and in the spirit of the cordial relations between the two countries and the crucial role that Kenya played in the peace process in the Sudan, the Government of the Sudan was honoured to participate at the promulgation ceremony at the highest level represented by His Excellency Omar Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir, the President of the Republic of the Sudan,” read the statement in part.
The statement further sought to clarify the reason that Southern Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit did not attend the celebrations.
“Though the invitation was extended to both the President and the First Vice-President, it was agreed that, due to obvious protocol considerations, the country be represented by the President.”
Kenya has been under immense local and international pressure to clarify its position on the ICC.
The visit by President Al-Bashir has also caused confusion in the government, with one half arguing that Kenya had committed a diplomatic blunder and another maintaining that the invitation was in order.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Sunday said the Sudan leader’s presence at the historic event as a blot on Kenya’s international reputation.
But a section of ministers and MPs led by Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka defended the government for hosting Mr Al-Bashir, who is wanted by the ICC for genocide and war crimes.
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Submitted by jelnamPosted September 01, 2010 05:55 AM
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Submitted by chazz95
The USA and a few powerful countries can afford to ignore the UN and other international oragnizations; Kenya cannot. That may be unfair, but it is foolhardy to ignore the reality. In any case, the issue is simply and squarely about DARFUR; many people here seem to have forget about our brothers and sisters there. Lastly, as to ionnocence until proven guilty, let us remember that Idi Amin, Adolf Hilter, Pol Pot, and other great murderers were never convicted by a court of even the death of one person. Does that alter the historicals truths about them?
Posted August 31, 2010 09:00 PM -
Submitted by Nangayapaa
Kenyans, why worry about the UN? Just ignore it like Israel has always done when the so called security council passes resolutions against it. Bush certainly had no respect for the UN when he went into Iraq. As for Bashir, I could understand if the outrage was about the many Kenyans who were not invited to their own party, not the attendance of a foreign leader. We can't be sending our invitation list to the UN for vetting before we invite people to Kenya!
Posted August 31, 2010 07:58 PM -
Submitted by PromulgatedKabisa
@ Isaya Baraza. I have followed your posts on this issue and I think logic per post decreases with every of your contribution.
Posted August 31, 2010 06:51 PM -
Submitted by Isaya Baraza
USA raided Iraq because of their National interests against UN advice and the whole world. Who reported them to the UN? Whats the problem if Kenya invites Al Bashir coz of its National Interest?
Posted August 31, 2010 06:17 PM
RSS
For better or worse, Bashir is still president of Sudan. We sure do have an obligation under the Rome Statute, but we have a larger obligation to peace, regional stability, and the people of Kenya. After all the UN was founded primarily for the maintenance of international peace and security. If Bashir's invitation was strategically expedient towards that end, then hurray!! After all the ICC has literally become the European Criminal Court, acting at the behest, and in furtherance of Euro-centric interests!