Sudan’s President Al Bashir leaves AU health summit early as ICC calls for his arrest

Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir has reportedly retuned to Khartoum after withdrawing early from an African Union (AU) health summit in the Nigerian capital Abuja, Nigeria. During his visit, the International Criminal Court (ICC) called for his arrest, but Sudan government sources deny the Court’s appeal was the reason for his early departure. Al Bashir, who has been indicted by the ICC on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, is subject to international arrest warrants. He arrived in Abuja on Sunday afternoon, and was greeted by Nigeria’s Minister for Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade and a military guard of honour on the tarmac. The AU summit on HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria was only due to end on Tuesday, but Al Bashir abruptly cut his visit short on Monday without giving any reasons. The Sudanese ambassador to the African Union said the President’s departure was “to honour a prior engagement, not due to calls for his arrest,” adding that Al Bashir “would never flee”. The ICC in The Hague issued a statement on Monday requesting that Nigeria “immediately arrest Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir and surrender him to the ICC”. The statement reminded Nigeria of “its obligation, as a signatory to the Rome Statute,” to carry out the Court’s order. The AU has passed a resolution requesting its members not to cooperate with the ICC. This has enabled Al Bashir to visit Chad, Djibouti and Kenya in the past. In a statement, Human Rights Watch said the AU resolution to ignore the warrants has “no bearing on Nigeria’s obligations as an ICC member”. As the arrest warrant was not complied with, the ICC criticised Nigeria stating that the country “has completely breached its obligations under international law.” The ICC judges reminded Nigeria that “the court may make a finding and refer the matter to its Assembly of States Parties or the UN Security Council”. File photo: Sudan’s President Omar Al Bashir Related: ICC indictee Ali Kushayb critically injured in attack in Nyala, South Darfur (7 July 2013) ICC prosecutor reproaches UN for ‘inaction and paralysis’ on Darfur (5 June 2013) HRW urges Chad to arrest Sudan President Bashir (10 May 2013)