Africa
Botswana faults AU decision over Bashir
Botswana's President Seretse Khama Ian Khama
Posted Monday, July 6 2009 at 11:39
GABORONE, Monday
Botswana has said that it does not agree with the African Union (AU) decision to denounce the International Criminal Court (ICC) and to refuse to extradite Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to stand trial for genocide.
The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Al-Bashir over genocide in the strife-torn Sudanese region of Darfur but the AU has snubbed the court on the matter.
“The government of Botswana does not agree with this (AU) decision and wishes to reaffirm its position that as a State Party to the Rome Statute on the International Criminal Court (ICC) it has treaty obligations to fully cooperate with the ICC in the arrest and transfer of the President of Sudan to the ICC,” a statement from the Botswana Foreign Affairs Ministry said on Sunday.
The statement said the ICC was established specifically to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community by prosecuting those suspected of committing genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
“The people of Africa and Sudan in particular have been victims of these crimes. Botswana strongly holds the view that the people of Africa, including the people of Sudan, deserve to be protected from the perpetrators of such crimes. This is why a majority of African countries, numbering thirty (30) are State Parties to the Rome Statute,” the statement added.
Even before the AU made its decision, Botswana President Ian Khama has previously indicated that when he gets the opportunity, he would arrest Al-Bashir and hand him over to the ICC. Khama said he will arrest Al-Bashir during a visit by Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete early this year.
Botswana vice-president, Lt-Gen. Mompati Merafhe and Foreign Minister Mr. Phandu Skelemani are expected to hold a press in Gaborone today (Monday 6, July 2009) on the AU decision to rebuff the ICC. Lt-Gen Merafhe and Mr Skelemani attended the AU summit in Sirte Libya.
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Submitted by kimjulPosted July 06, 2009 04:25 PM
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Submitted by mthiosh
my view about this complex issue is that Africa must take charge of her future. we need to show seriuosness n fairness if we want others to treat us likewise. it is inappropriate for the international bodies to try a sitting president (imagine Obama, Netanyahu etc). coz what happens if he is jailed? and at times this is pure harrassment when we don't toe the line. but in this serious questions into the Darfur massacre stand and what of South sudan? But serious things have also happened in other countries without ICC raising a voice. Double standards?
Posted July 06, 2009 04:11 PM -
Submitted by irenematt
God bless him indeed - a rare breed amoung a truely shamefull bunch. When are we going to realise that we do nothing to enhance ourselves to the world as being civilised when we alow the likes of Bashir to go free and hide behind the petticoats of Africanism? He wasn't very "brotherly" to his own people now was he. Shame on Kenya of all countries that endorse this mess.
Posted July 06, 2009 04:00 PM -
Submitted by KinyuaOhiambo
Mainathuo below is suffering from the same disease that causes African presidents to turn a blind eye to the extermination of their own colour. Now when we are talking about saving the lives of millions of sudanese under genocidal arabic regime Maina Thuo stands up and insults us all. Yes Maina lets us [the public ] ignore Darfur and discuss non-issues like Mulatto politics that have nothing to do with the issue .
Posted July 06, 2009 04:00 PM -
Submitted by kj52
God bless the president of Botswana! We Africans have suffered for long from the likes of Bashir; and when the world gives us an opportunity to rid such despots, narrow-minded African leaders decide to protect one of their own without considering the plight of suffering millions. Shame on all African leaders, esp my own country Kenya, who, thru' inaction, continue to abet these atrocities.
Posted July 06, 2009 02:41 PM
RSS
Botswana's President Seretse Khama Ian Khama has spoken for the millions of Africans whose voices may never be heard beyond the precinct of their homes. Thank you for looking beyond 'beyond brotherhood' and seeing the injustices commited by Bashir to the people of Sudan and Africa as a whole!