AU writes to UN Security Council on termination of Ruto, Bashir cases

Friday February 19, 2016

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The African Union has again asked the UN Security Counsel for audience in March on the termination of the DP's ICC case.

In June 2015, African heads of states requested the ICC to suspend or terminate the proceedings until the continent's concerns on the Rome Statutes are considered.

"Under the chairpersonship of Teros Ghebreyesus, the ministerial committee intends to undertake a working visit to the UN to engage with UNSC on all that has been consistently raised by the AU," read a letter dated February 12.

Acting chairperson Erastus Mwencha said he was confident the council would grant the committee necessary cooperation.

"UNSC should facilitate a meeting with a view to ensuring this request by African leaders is adequately and satisfactorily acted upon," Mwencha said.

"Regrettably, requests have either not been acted upon or have been turned down with the opposition of some members of the UNSC, at the time."

Mwencha cited the committee's request for the suspension of the case against Sudan President Omar al Bashir and other African leaders at the International Criminal Court.

He urged the Council to withdraw the referral case in Sudan and proceedings against Deputy President William Ruto.

"In our common determination to resolve the peace and security of the continent, it has become imperative that the attention of our leaders is not distracted," he said.

He added that the cases are a threat of instability to "our countries and our dear continent".

Last week, Kenya's efforts to save Ruto from the ICC paid off with the Appeal judges ruling that recanted testimony cannot be used against him.

The judges reversed a decision of their Trial Chamber colleagues, saying that the use of the repudiated testimony would be detrimental to Ruto and his co-accused Joshua Sang’s rights.

The ruling was a major blow to ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, as among the statements in contention is one by a star witness of hers who refused to testify before the judges.

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