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African Union gives ICC Ultimatum – presents a dilemma for the West
(AFP) – African nations this past weekend, demanded the International Criminal Court (ICC) defer the “crimes against humanity” trials of Kenya’s leadership, as the country’s president furiously attacked the tribunal as imperialist and racist.
A special summit of the African Union insisted that sitting heads of state should be exempt from appearing before the Hague-based court, and the bloc warned it would support a no-show at the ICC by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta if the demand was not answered.
“What the summit decided is that President Kenyatta should not appear until the request we have made is actually answered,” Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters.
“This elected leader should lead his country.”
Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have been charged with crimes against humanity for allegedly masterminding a campaign of violence that left at least 1,100 dead and more than 600,000 homeless after disputed 2007 elections.
Now allies and elected this year on a platform of national reconciliation, they argue the case is violating Kenyan sovereignty and hampering their running of the country.
Kenyatta’s trial is due to start in The Hague on November 12, and if he fails to turn up the ICC could issue an arrest warrant – which would expose Kenya to western diplomatic isolation.
