Sudan’s Al Bashir arrives in Uganda for talks

Sudan’s President Omar Al Bashir, who has been wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague for alleged war crimes, started his visit to the Ugandan capital today.

The state-owned news agency Suna reported that President Al Bashir's visit comes in response to an invitation by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

It added that Al Bashir and Museveni would hold talks on bilateral ties and means of enhancing relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern. The relations between the two countries have recently improved after tensions for many years.

ICC

In May 2016, Al Bashir visited Kampala to take part in the inauguration event of President Museveni for his fifth term. Museveni then refused to respond to calls by human rights groups to adhere to the ICC arrest warrant against Sudan's incumbent president.

Uganda is a signatory to the Rome Statute and obliged to answer to the ICC call. During his address during his inauguration last year, however, Museveni called the court “a bunch of useless people” and said he no longer supports it. Delegates from North America and Europe walked out of the ceremony upon hearing these comments.

Tomorrow, the Sudanese leader will be accompanied by a high-level delegation which includes the ministers of the presidency, foreign affairs, trade, the director of the national security and the director of the president's office.