China faults ICC involvement in post-election violence cases

By David Ochami

China has reiterated its opposition to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the eve of a meeting between the Vice Premier Wang Qishan and President Kibaki in Nairobi today.

The Chinese embassy in Nairobiyesterday claimed ICC’s involvement in the Kenyan case amounts to interference with internal affairs and a threat to peace.

Beijing, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency, has secured an informal meeting of UN Security members in New York where Kenya has presented her case.

The US, France and United Kingdom, which also have the veto powers, have rejected the request to defer cases at the ICC. Permanent members of the UN Security Council are China, US, United Kingdom, France and Russia

Decisions on substantive matters require nine votes, including the concurring votes of the five permanent members – China, France, Russia, Britain and the US. The other 10 non-permanent members are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Portugal, Brazil, India, South Africa, Colombia, Lebanon, Gabon and Nigeria.

China’s ambassador to Kenya to Liu Guangyuan said the ICC investigation must consider overall peace and stability in Africa. The Chinese Vice Premier is also expected to meet Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.