Kenya, Sudan resume ties after Bashir court ruling

Written By:Margaret Kalekye/Reuters,    Posted: Fri, Dec 02, 2011

Wetangula met the Sudanese leader Thursday night (Photo/Reuters) Kenya has normalised relations with Sudan after Khartoum reversed its decision to expel the Kenyan ambassador over a Nairobi court ruling ordering the arrest of the Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir. This follows a meeting Thursday night with Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula and his Defence counterpart Yusuf Hajji. Speaking to journalists upon arrival from Khartoum on Friday, Wetangula told journalists that the diplomatic row had been resolved and assured of continued cordial relations between the two nations.  Kenya and Sudan had been locked in a diplomatic row after a Kenyan court issued a warrant of arrest against Bashir  if he sets his foot in Kenya. Bashir is wanted for crimes against humanity and genocide at the International Criminal Court. Justice Nicholas Ombija issued a warrant for Bashir's arrest on Monday following an application lodged by the International Commission for Jurists (ICJ) Kenya Chapter. The Kenyan envoy was to leave Khartoum on Thursday night after the Sudanese leaders gave him 72 hours to pack and go.  Bashir had also threatened to block planes from Kenya flying into Sudan airspace. Wetangula said such action could have had a negative impact on the Kenya's economy as Kenya's exports would have been affected.   Wetangula maintained that the government would appeal against the ruling that he said could adversely affect Kenya's economy and the region's stability.   The ruling has also triggered a clash between the Judiciary and the Executive. Chef Justice Dr Willy Mutunga has warned the Executive to stop interfering with the Judiciary. Backing the ruling, the CJ said his judges would not be intimidated into bending the law to suit anyone or any institution.