Caption: Annan said the Kenyan government should state its position on the matter.
Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has slammed Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir's presence in Nairobi.
Annan is the chairperson of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities that negotiated a power sharing deal that ended the 2008 post election violence.
Annan in a statement said he was surprised by by the presence of Bashir at Friday's promulgation of new constitution and called on Kenya to clarify its position on the matter.
"Like many, I was surprised by the presence of President Al-Bashir of Sudan in Nairobi for the promulgation of Kenya's new constitution. Kenya has specific obligations as a signatory of the Rome statute and is also cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) on investigations relating to the 2007/8 election violence" the statement said.
He added "the Government should clarify its position and reaffirm its cooperation with and commitment to the ICC"
Bashir's visit continues to elicit angry reactions. On Saturday the US, EU, various lobby groups and a section of Kenyans condemned the visit of the Sudanese leader to the country.
President Barrack Obama accused the Government of shielding Al-Bashir from criminal justice.
As a signatory to the Rome statute Kenya is obligated to cooperate with the Court by enforcing the warrants of arrest issued against Al Bashir by the ICC.
But Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang'ula said the Government could not arrest the leader. "It is un-African to invite a guest and harass him in your house," said the minister.
We invited all neighbours and he is a neighbour," Wetangula said. "There are no apologies to make about anybody we invited ... because I am sure we are enhancing peace and security and stability of this region more than anything else," he added.
Kenya becomes Bashir's second visit to an ICC state party after Chad, where he visited in July.
No comments:
Post a Comment