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Sunday, August 29, 2010

Bashir's visit to Kenya condemned

Written By:KBC reporters , Posted: Sat, Aug 28, 2010



Caption: President Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for gross violations of human rights in Darfur.


The presence of Sudanese President Omar al Bashir at Friday's promulgation of the new constitution continued to elicit condemnation on Saturday.

The Orange Democratic Movement- ODM said Bashir's visit put into question the government's commitment to implement the new constitution.

The party Secretary General Anyang' Nyong'o said ODM as a partner in the coalition government will seek an explanation from the government on the matter.

Addressing a press conference, Nyong'o who is also the Medical Services minister said the government as a whole was neither consulted nor informed about Bashir's invitation.

Describing the visit as unfortunate, Nyong'o added " Bashir's presence has shifted world attention to Kenya violating our new constitution as well as international law and treaties"

"ODM as a partner in the coalition will obtain proper explanation from the Ministry of Foreign affairs why the government as a whole was never consulted" he said.

City Lawyer Paul Muite also hit out at the government for hosting the Sudanese President.
Muite claimed the invitation of President Bashir was a wider plot by the government to undermine the work of the International Criminal Court and protect the master minds of the post election violence.

Rights groups said the visit raises questions about Kenya's commitment to co-operate with the ICC on the ongoing investigations on post-election violence.

Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for gross violations of human rights in Darfur.

His presence at the new law promulgation ceremony took many by surprise as the government had not indicated that Bashir had been invited.

During an official press briefing on Wednesday, the Head of Civil Service, Francis Muthaura, did not say Bashir was expected.

Bashir who was escorted by Tourism Minister Najib Balala strode to Uhuru Park Grounds at 9.16am amid tight security.

The ICC has already reported Kenya to the UN Security Council so that appropriate steps might be taken.

United States President Barack Obama and the European Union (EU) have criticized the decision of the Kenyan government to receive the Sudanese president.

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.

Kenya becomes Bashir's second visit to an ICC state party after Chad, where he visited in July.

Meanwhile, two people arrested Friday for demonstrating against the presence of Bashir have been released.

Central Police boss Paul Kariuki said the demonstrators were released Saturday morning. Muite who was at the central police station condemned the arrests.

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