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Sudan Tribune

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Sudan’s Salva Kiir says ICC indictment is not in the interest of peace

August 9, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese First Vice-President, Salva Kiir Mayadrit, said today that the indictment of president Omer Hassan al-Bashir by the ICC Prosecutor is not in the interest of Sudan and could hinder the peace process in the country.

Salva Kiir Mayardit
Salva Kiir Mayardit
Mayardit, met on Saturday with the U.S. special envoy to Sudan, Richard Williamson who arrived yesterday to the country for one week visit. They discussed the situation in disputed area of Abyei, Darfur crisis and repercussions of the charges filed against Bashir by the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor.

The First Vice-President said the request of arrest warrant by the ICC prosecutor was neither in the interest of Sudan nor in the interest of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), warning that it would have negative consequences on the unstable neighbouring countries.

Williamson distanced the U.S. Administration form the ICC prosecutor application saying that The United States is not a member of the ICC adding Washington is not involved in the on going proceedings against Bashir.

“We are not party to any decision rendered by the ICC, but we as an influential state we are concerned by the repercussions of such decision on our interests” said Williamson after the meeting.

Last Thursday the US made a last minute decision to abstain from voting on a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution extending the mandate of the UN-African Union (AU) hybrid force in Darfur (UNAMID).

In explaining the abstention US deputy Representative to the UN Alejandro Wolff said his government strongly supports UNAMID but that the “language added to the resolution would send the wrong signal to the Sudanese president Omar Hassan Al-Bashir and undermine efforts to bring him and others to justice”.

Yesterday President al Bashir appointed Arop Mayak Mony Toc of the SPLM as Chief Administrator of the interim Abyei Area Administration and Rahama Abdel-Rahman Al-Nour of the NCP was chosen as Deputy Administrator.

This step comes after the withdrawal from the area of the armed forces of the two sides, and the deployment of joint integrated units and joint integrated police units.

Salva Kiir told the visiting envoy that the government had formed an administration for the disputed area and the residents had began to voluntarily return to their homes.

The U.S. envoy, who welcomed Abyei Road map signed by the two parties last July and its implementation, said they consider it as an important step towards the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Williamson told the reporters he had discussed with the first vice-president the development of the situation in Darfur and efforts being made to make the atmosphere conducive for a political dialogue to find a solution to Darfur conflict.

(ST)

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