Minister Dlamini Zuma notes Decision of the ICC to issue a Warrant of Arrest against Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir

Geneva- South African Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has noted the decision of the International Criminal Court on Wednesday 4 March 2009 to issue an arrest warrant against the President of Sudan Omar al-Bashir.

“South Africa has never countenanced any acts of impunity. However, South Africa supported the decision of the African Union to 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 Minister Dlamini Zuma.

“In this regard and in pursuance of this objective, the African Union Summit held in Addis Ababa recently appointed South Africa’s Former President Thabo Mbeki to intercede between the ICC and the Sudan” continued Minister Dlamini Zuma.

“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.

“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” concluded Minister Dlamini Zuma.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

C/O South African Permanent Mission-Geneva
5 March 2009