Wetangula: Bashir set to attend regional meet

Kenya is planning to hold an Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) meeting in which Sudan’s President Omar Al-Bashir is expected to participate, Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetangula has said.

Speaking to journalists in Bujumbura, Burundi Wednesday, Mr Wetangula said as the chair of IGAD's Comprehensive Peace Agreement committee President Kibaki is in the process of converging the meeting.

“The meeting is to address the issue of Abyei, Southern Kordorfan, Blue Nile and the uncompleted demarcation of north and south Sudan boundary and we need to share issues and to do so we need comfort and security available to all leaders,” Mr Wetangula said.

The minister, who was accompanied by Attorney General Githu Muigai, added: “Sudan is led by President Bashir and we expect him to participate.”

“The meetings are to be held in Kenya or elsewhere,” Mr Wetangula said on the sidelines of the East African Community Heads of State Summit.

Mr Wetangula said he was concerned by “the blatant display of insensitivity” by courts in reaching decision to issue arrest warrant for Mr Bashir if he sets foot in Kenya.

He said Sudan is a critical component of peace and security in the region and that Kenya played a key role in ending the long drawn out war in the vast country.

“Any acts judicial or otherwise that undermine stability of Sudan is a threat to peace and security in region,” Mr Wetangula said.

Prof Muigai said he is holding consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and that he will advice on regularity of the court’s ruling in accordance with the Rome Statute, the International Criminal Court Act, the Vienna Convention and diplomatic and consular immunities.

Mr Wetangula said: “We have asked the AG to advice us on application of legal instruments which will make part of the basis for appeal.”

He said he has been in constant consultation with his Sudan counterpart and that he had no doubt both countries are keen not to allow the ruling to undermine their cordial relations.

“There’s no doubt the issue will be solved,” Mr Wetangula said adding that he supports IGAD's statement on the matter.

He said he had also received messages of concern from the African Union and other regional organisations.

On expulsion of Kenya’s ambassador from Khartoum, Mr Wetangula said although it is a rushed action it is normal for a country to do so.

A reliable source told the Nation, Mr Wetangula is expected in Sudan Thursday for talks with President Bashir on Kenya’s position on the arrest warrant.