AU Bid to Block Sudan Charges

(Daily Nation)--The chairman of the African Union, Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete, has declared that the AU Peace and Security Council will take the responsibility of handling attempts to halt the International Criminal Court’s dispute with Sudan at the UN.

In a joint press conference he held with Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir yesterday in conclusion of his talks in Khartoum, President Kikwete said that Nigerian and Tanzanian ambassadors in New York, are currently seeking ways to halt the ICC’s plans to charge President Bashir.

President Kikwete affirmed that the AU and UN will work with the government of Sudan to realise peace and justice in Darfur and to handle the humanitarian crisis in the region.

President Kikwete expressed his appreciation for the commitment made by Sudan and President al-Bashir personally to endeavour to solve the issue of Darfur, stressing that the UN does not undermine the importance of justice in Darfur and that the AU believes that it’s an important issue, but priority should be given to peace, humanitarian issues, protection of lives and alleviation of suffering in the western Sudan region.

He affirmed that the AU is trying to secure its previous stance through AU Peace and Security Council to freeze the ICC plans and through UN to secure this stance.

Also, he affirmed that the difficulties facing deployment of the hybrid forces will be discussed with the AU and UN, surmounting the stance of the government of Sudan and its commitment to protect the humanitarian convoys and humanitarian workers.

President Kikwete said that his talks with the officials of the government of Sudan and the chief of the joint mission focused on the peace process in Darfur and the difficulties that face deployment of the hybrid forces in Darfur.

For his part, President al-Bashir said that security and stability in Sudan are crucial for Africa, pointing out the efforts made by the government to realise peace at all levels, affirming that his talks with the chairman of the AU have been comprehensive, productive and constructive and forms a framework for solution of issues.

President al-Bashir added that President Kikwete would participate in the activities of the UN general assembly, and would meet with a number of leaders and ‘we are quite convinced that he would express our stance clearly and would support Sudan.’

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