The European Union (EU) has described as “regrettable” the decision by Uganda, as signatory to the Rome Statute to host Sudanese president Omar-al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), local online website, the Daily Monitor reports.
In a statement issued from Brussels, EU’S foreign policy Chief Federica Mogherini said that Uganda should “respect its obligations under international law and as a State Party to the ICC.”
President Bashir is wanted by the ICC on two counts of crimes against humanity and genocide of more than 300,000 deaths in Sudan’s Darfur region.
The court issued first warrant for arrest for Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir on 4 March 2009, the second on 12 July 2010. The suspect is still at large.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Mr Patrick Mugoya, said that the government will “explain itself appropriately” for its actions through diplomatic channels.
“It is true we are a member of the Rome Statute but at the same time we are interested in peace and stability in the region,” Mr Mugoya noted.
“The issue of peace and stability takes precedence over anything, and president Bashir is a key player.” He added.
The EU’s Mogherini in the statement, called upon all ICC/UN member states “to abide by and implement the resolutions adopted by the Security Council resolution of 2005, which referred the crisis in Darfur to the ICC for investigations.
