Any likelihood of Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir being arrested in South Africa on a warrant from the International Criminal Court appears to be receding after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) said on Sunday the court was “no longer useful for the purposes for which it was intended”.
Accusing the Court of selective Justice, The ANC also called for a revision of the ICC statutes to make them apply to all United Nations members to ensure a “fair and independent court for universal and equitable justice”.
Immunity to all
Mr Bashir looked unlikely to be arrested as the ANC-led Pretoria government had granted immunity to all attending the summit.
This came after a South African court issued an interim order stopping Sudan’s leader Omar al-Bashir, who faces war crimes charges, from leaving the country.
The Pretoria High Court said Mr Bashir must stay until it rules on Monday on whether he should be handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
President Bashir is in Johannesburg for an African Union (AU) summit.
He is accused of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide during the Darfur conflict.
About 400,000 people have died and more than two million have fled their homes since rebels took up arms in 2003, the UN says.
Government forces and allied Arab militias are accused of targeting black African civilians in the fight against the rebels.
Tensions
President Bashir was welcomed by South African officials as he arrived in Johannesburg. After the court announced it would rule on a request to arrest him, he posed for a group photo with other African leaders.
The High Court initially said it would issue its ruling on Sunday. But it later postponed the hearing until Monday, when the summit is due to end.
There are tensions between the ICC and the AU, with some on the continent accusing the court of unfairly targeting Africans.
The warrants against Mr Bashir, who denies the allegations, have restricted his overseas travel. He has, however, visited friendly states in Africa and the Middle East.
BBC
