ICC Decision Against International Law: Sudan Envoy

Addressing a news conference in Nairobi, Sudanese Ambassador to Kenya Majok Guandong said Sudan, Africa's largest country, is not member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and therefore not subject to its jurisdiction.

The Sudanese envoy's remarks came after the African Union decided at an emergency meeting on Thursday to send a high-level delegation to press the UN Security Council to delay the ICC's warrant against Sudan's President Al-Bashir.

From Xinhua (Web Editor: Zhang Jin) via CRIENGLISH.com 06 March 2009:
ICC Decision Against International Law: Sudan Envoy - excerpt:

Sudanese government said Thursday the decision by the International Criminal Court to issue a warrant of arrest against President Omar al-Bashir is contrary to the international law.

Addressing a news conference in Nairobi, Sudanese Ambassador to Kenya Majok Guandong said the Africa's largest country is not member of the ICC and therefore not subject to its jurisdiction.

Guandong said that Sudan expected the ICC decision to issue a warrant of arrest against the Sudanese leader after the court " deviated from its path and became a political tool for some powerful countries."

"We saw it coming because these countries have been using the ICC to achieve their aims and to serve their interests. Now they want to exploit the Sudan's huge resources and to sabotage the internationally-recognized economic achievements of the country," said Guandong in Nairobi.

The ambassador described the move as a Western conspiracy after Khartoum decided to expel 10 foreign organizations, two local ones, and dissolved two others after accusing them of collaborating with the ICC.

"Sudan is not member of the ICC and therefore not subject to its jurisdiction. Sudan rejects the Court's decision and will not engage with it," he said. [...]

Guandong said despite the arrest warrant Sudan will continue shouldering its responsibilities in maintaining public order by providing security to regional and international organizations and diplomatic missions accredited to Sudan.

"The Government of Sudan is committed to all peace agreements it had signed and to achieve peace throughout the country particularly in Darfur," said the ambassador.

"It pledges to continue the quest for peace through the Afro- Arab initiative or any other suitable venue. The government calls upon the rebel movements to relinquish violence and to adhere to the peaceful resolution of the conflict through a negotiated settlement."

Guandong said Sudan will continue to champion peace, democratic transformation and development as the President will continue his constitutional responsibilities and duties internally and externally.

The Sudanese envoy's remarks came after AU decided at an emergency meeting on Thursday to send a high-level delegation to press the UN Security Council to delay the warrant.