Rwanda has said it will not in any way Praise or endorse a statement which mentions the International Criminal Court.
Today a UN Security Council will meet to deliberate on conflict prevention in Africa and as is the tradition, the 15-member body will release a statement thereafter.
The meeting is organised by Rwanda.
The 7 ICC members on the council — Argentina, Australia, Britain, France, Guatemala, Luxembourg and South Korea — insist on acknowledging the work of ICC in ending impunity for war crimes.
Rwanda is the UNSC president for April and Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo will chair the meeting with UN leader Ban Ki-moon also attending.
ICC members on the council want a statement which stresses “the important role of the ICC and reiterate the importance of cooperation with the court,” said a statement.
Olivier Nduhungirehe Rwanda’s deputy UN ambassador said,“Rwanda would rather have no statement at all than one which mentions the ICC.”
A UN diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity said, “It is a strange position for Rwanda which is organizing the meeting.”
Rwanda is expected to highlight its own experiences in bringing stability since the 1994 genocide against ethnic Tutsi that claimed over a Million lives.
Additional reporting AFP
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