Today's Headlines
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- Finance Minister Quits Over ICC Charges
- Shortage of HIV Test Kits Raises Concerns
- Living On the Edge in Turkana Region
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- Uhuru, Ruto Eligible for Presidency - CIC
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- Resettle IDPs, Urges Annan
- Uhuru, Muthaura Have Done the Right Thing
- All Displaced People Should Return Home
- Concern Raised As Parents Shun Schools in Poll Violence Hotspots
- Ruling On IEBC Hiring in February
- Country Working Towards Conditions Needed for Direct Flights to U.S.
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- Geothermal Project to Receive Sh10 Billion Funding Boost
- Five Million to Get IDs Before Elections
- Speed Up Building Port
- Uhuru and Muthaura Did Well to Quit Posts
- A Full Plate Awaits Githae
- Clashes Continue in Moyale
- Baraza Case to Be Heard Monday
- Two Firms in Joint Venture to Drill for Oil Near Lodwar
- Exit Uhuru, Muthaura
- ICC Charges Hound Uhuru Out of Treasury
- Consumers Grow Despite Inflation
- Poor Relations Between Banks Blamed for Cash Shortages
- Fish Prices Up As Vegetable Supply Dwindles
- Consumers to Pay More for Milk and Bread As Prices Rise
- Kibaki Tasks Ex-Dar CJ to Lead Probe in Kenya
- Mombasa Port Cargo Congestion Forces Three-Month Fees Waiver
David Kezio-Musoke
2 September 2010
Rwanda has joined the African Union (AU) in defence of Kenya's decision not to comply with the International Criminal Court's (ICC) warrant of arrest issued against Sudanese President Omar al Bashir while he was invited to Nairobi for the new constitution's promulgation ceremony.
Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo told reporters in Kigali on Tuesday that Rwanda supported the AU's decision on ICC and that Kenya as a sovereign state had the right to invite the Sudanese President.
"As far as my government is concerned, it is Kenya's sovereign decision to deal with its neighbours the way it deems so. Kenya has been involved as a member of The Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and has been involved in talks including engaging President Bashir," said Ms Mushikiwabo.
"Kenya is making efforts to stabilise Sudan. It makes sense to us that government of Kenya would love to deal with President Bashir. That engagement is in line with the AU's position. Justice doesn't work in a vacuum. Justice is to bring order and not create chaos to satisfy the international community," she added.
Error in judgement
In a statement issued from its headquarters in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, the AU said the ICC had erred in turning a blind eye on the obligations of member states to the AU's decision made in January 2009 and reiterated at the heads of state's meeting in Kampala last month not to cooperate with the ICC's warrant of arrest on Bashir.
The statement said in part, "Thus, the decisions adopted by the AU policy organs are binding on Chad and Kenya and it will be wrong to coerce them to violate or disregard their obligations to the African Union."
The African Union sought to vindicate Kenya and Chad from blame over the presence of Mr Bashir in those countries, who the ICC wants to arrest. The Kenyan government on its part stated that whereas it is obligated to the ICC, Kenya has a legitimate interest in ensuring peace and stability in Sudan and the region.
Ms Mushikiwabo told reporters, "This is an issue that Rwanda has already raised because Rwanda has been affected by the international law system since 1994."
