Criminal Court (ICC) to issue a warrant of arrest against Sudanese President
Omar Al-Bashir
5 March 2009
Geneva: South African Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
has noted the decision of the International Criminal Court on Wednesday, 4
March 2009, to issue an arrest warrant against the President of Sudan Omar
al-Bashir.
"South Africa has never countenanced any acts of impunity. However, South
Africa supported the decision of the African Union (AU) to defer the issuing of
the warrant of arrest against President Al-Bashir by a year to give the peace
processes in the Sudan a chance," said Minister Dlamini Zuma.
"In this regard and in pursuance of this objective, the African Union Summit
held in Addis Ababa recently appointed South Africa's Former President Thabo
Mbeki to intercede between the ICC and the Sudan" continued Minister Dlamini
Zuma.
"In the light of the decision of the ICC on Wednesday, South Africa concurs
with the African Union's initial response that the ICC's decision is
regrettable as it will impact negatively on the current peace processes in the
Sudan.
"Nonetheless, South Africa will have to await further discussions within the
confines of the African Union which will inform the country's own comprehensive
response to these developments," concluded Minister Dlamini Zuma.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
5 March 2009
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dfa.gov.za)
