Al-Bashir arrest warrant 'regrettable'

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Article by: Sapa

Published: 05 Mar 2009

Al-Bashir arrest warrant 'regrettable' - SA

The International Criminal Court's decision to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was "regrettable", South Africa's foreign minister said on Thursday.

"In the light of the decision of the ICC on Wednesday, South Africa concurs with the African Union's initial response that the ICC's decision is regrettable as it will impact negatively on the current peace processes in the Sudan," Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said in a statement.

"South Africa has never countenanced any acts of impunity.

"However, South Africa supported the decision of the African Unionto defer the issuing of the warrant of arrest against President Al-Bashir by a year to give the peace processes in the Sudan a chance," said Dlamini-Zuma.

She said the AU had appointed South Africa's former president Thabo Mbeki to "intercede between the ICC and the Sudan".

"Nonetheless, South Africa will have to await further discussions within the confines of the African Union which will inform the country's own comprehensive response to these developments," said Dlamini-Zuma.

Prosecutors sought the warrants for al-Bashir on 10 charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Al-Bashir denies the charges. Sudan does not accept the court's jurisdiction.