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Sudan Boycotts AU-EU Summit over Bashir Indictments

   Peter Clottey 28 November 2010
   Sudan President Omar al-Bashir

   IN SEARCH OF A VENUE When the International Criminal Court asked Kenya
   to  arrest Sudanās President Omar al-Bashir as he arrived for a summit
   meeting  of  the  seven  East African nations of the Intergovernmental
   Authority  on  Development  in Nairobi, summit organizers talked about
   moving  meeting  to discuss a political solution for troubled Sudan to
   Addis  Ababa, Ethiopia, which is not an ICC signatory. Instead, the AU
   opted for postponement of the meeting. AP photo.

   The  International  Crisis  Groupās  special  adviser on Sudan and the
   African  Union  (AU)  told  VOA  there  are  strong  indications  that
   President   Omar   Hassan  al-Bashirās  government  will  not  benefit
   financially  from  the  decisions  to  be  taken  at a two-day African
   Union-European Union summit which begins in neighboring Libya Monday.

   No  Sudanese  official will take part in the summit. Fouad Hikmat said
   organizers  donāt  appear to want the negative publicity that would be
   generated   since   President   Bashir  is  under  indictment  by  the
   Hague-based International Criminal Court on war crimes charges.

   āThe summit is very important discussing investment development, peace
   and  security  and  other  issues  pertaining to the continent and the
   cooperation  between  the  two institutions. I think this is important
   (not) to be jeopardized by one person given that the European Union is
   also  one  of  the  principal supporters of the International Criminal
   Court.ā

   Sudanese  Foreign  Minister  Ali  Ahmad Karti was quoted as saying Mr.
   Bashir decided not to attend the summit in order to avoid embarrassing
   Libya,  and  that  no other Sudanese official would be sent to replace
   him.

   Hikmat  said  there are indications Sudan will not be a beneficiary of
   the  possible  investments  and  support  that the European Union will
   pledge  at  the  two-day  summit  hosting  80  heads of state from two
   continents.

   āI  can  see  the  government in Sudan is very busy with two important
   issues. One is the benchmark of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement with
   the referendum and if it is going to be peaceful and the results of it
   is  going  to  be accepted, and, at the same time, the consequences of
   the  inevitable  separation  of  south  Sudan  on  the  state of Sudan
   itself,ā Hikmat said.

   āThe  second  point is trying to find a solution to the Darfur problem
   before  the  referendum.  And,  I  think these are the (main) concerns
   (rather)  than  the  African  Union  and  the European Union summit on
   investment and development.ā

   European  Union  officials  reportedly  threatened  to walk out if Mr.
   Bashir  attended  the  summit.  The  27-nation  bloc  supports the ICC
   tribunal,  while  Mr.  Bashir  rejects its jurisdiction and refuses to
   cooperate.
   The  Hague-based  International  Criminal  Court  has issued an arrest
   warrant for Mr. Bashir for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity
   and genocide in Sudan's western province of Darfur.

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