{The United States government has expressed \u201cdeep concern\u201d over the travel of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s to South Africa for the African Union summit.}<\/p>\n
Department of State Spokesperson John Kirby on Sunday night said the Obama administration was appealing to the South African government to support efforts by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to apprehend Mr Bashir.<\/p>\n
President Bashir has been indicted by the ICC on charges of crimes against humanity and genocide, and warrants for his arrest remain outstanding.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, which sets out the crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the ICC, we strongly support international efforts to hold accountable those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn light of the atrocities in Darfur, we call on the government of South Africa to support the international community’s efforts to provide justice for the victims of these heinous crimes,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, a South African court issued a temporarily barred President Bashir from leaving the country.<\/p>\n
President Bashir mostly travels to countries that have not joined the ICC, but South Africa is a signatory to the court\u2019s statutes.<\/p>\n
COURT ORDER<\/p>\n
On Sunday, the Pretoria High Court said in a statement it was \u201ccompelling respondents to prevent President Omar al-Bashir from the leaving the country until an order is made in this Court.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSouth Africa has an obligation to arrest him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFailure to do so puts them in the same bracket as other African regimes who have no respect for human rights. It\u2019s actually a test for South Africa,\u201d Johannesburg-based rights lawyer Gabriel Shumba told AFP.<\/p>\n
A South African government official at the summit confirmed media reports that Bashir was at the meeting, but declined to give further details.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no point denying it now,\u201d said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.<\/p>\n
The summit is chaired by Zimbabwe\u2019s President Robert Mugabe, who has urged African leaders to pull out of the ICC, which critics accuse of unfairly targeting Africa.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the ICC called on South Africa \u201cto spare no effort in ensuring the execution of the arrest warrants\u201d against Mr Bashir.<\/p>\n
Darfur erupted into conflict in 2003 when insurgents mounted a campaign against Bashir\u2019s government, complaining their region was politically and economically marginalised.<\/p>\n
According to the United Nations, more than 300,000 people have been killed in the conflict and fighting has forced some 2.5 million people to flee their homes.<\/p>\n
Khartoum, however, disputes the figures, estimating the death toll at no more than 10,000.<\/p>\n
{{Nation Media}}<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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