International Court reports Djibouti to Security Council for not arresting Sudan president

International Court reports Djibouti to Security Council for not arresting Sudan president

By Associated Press, Published: May 12

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Judges at the International Criminal Court reported the African nation of Djibouti to the United Nations Security Council Thursday for failing to arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir during an official visit.

Judges said media reported that al-Bashir attended the inauguration ceremony of Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh last Sunday.

The court has indicted al-Bashir on charges including genocide for allegedly orchestrating atrocities in Darfur. It has issued warrants for his arrest to all nations — including Djibouti — that recognize the court’s jurisdiction.

The court has no police force and relies on member states to execute its orders and warrants.

However neighbors and nations friendly to Sudan have so far not moved to detain al-Bashir when he has visited.

Last year, the court also reported Kenya and Chad to the Security Council for failing to arrest al-Bashir.

In Thursday’s written decision, judges said Djibouti “has an obligation to cooperate with the Court” by executing arrest warrants and said the Security Council could “take any action” it considers appropriate.

Darfur was plunged into turmoil in 2003, when ethnic African rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated Sudanese government, whom they accuse of discrimination.

Al-Bashir’s regime is accused of retaliating by unleashing Arab militias on civilians — a charge the government denies. The U.N. estimates 300,000 people have died and 2.7 million have been displaced in the conflict.

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