PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
South Africa: Bashir jets away from African Union storm
Johannesburg, South Africa (PANA) - Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir left South Africa on Monday, despite the decision of a court barring him from leaving South Africa in connection with his indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The plane bearing President al-Bashir took off from the Waterkloof Airforce base outside Pretoria, PANA reported from here.
It appears that al-Bashir’s aircraft had been flown from OR Tambo International Airport to Waterkloof on Sunday night to facilitate his departure.
South African government lawyer William Mokhari told the North Gauteng High Court that it was not clear if al-Bashir’s name was on the list of officials who boarded a plane to Sudan.
However, a Sudanese government official, who refused to reveal his name, said al-Bashir was expected back in Sudan on Monday afternoon.
The Sudanese President’s arrival in South Africa for the 25th African Union (AU) Summit sparked an outcry and forced Pretoria to defend its controversial guest.
The South African Litigation Centre's (SALC) had sought a court injunction to order the government to arrest Sudanese President al-Bashir and transfer him to the ICC, which has indicted him on war crimes and crimes against humanity charges over the long-drawn internecine war in Sudan's Darfur region.
As a signatory of the Rome Statute establishing the court, South Africa is bound to arrest the Sudanese leader.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said the warrant for al-Bashir’s arrest must be implemented by countries who have signed up to the Hague court's statutes.
“The court's warrant for the arrest of President al-Bashir on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes is a matter I take extremely seriously,” he said.
-0- PANA CU/SEG 15June2015
The plane bearing President al-Bashir took off from the Waterkloof Airforce base outside Pretoria, PANA reported from here.
It appears that al-Bashir’s aircraft had been flown from OR Tambo International Airport to Waterkloof on Sunday night to facilitate his departure.
South African government lawyer William Mokhari told the North Gauteng High Court that it was not clear if al-Bashir’s name was on the list of officials who boarded a plane to Sudan.
However, a Sudanese government official, who refused to reveal his name, said al-Bashir was expected back in Sudan on Monday afternoon.
The Sudanese President’s arrival in South Africa for the 25th African Union (AU) Summit sparked an outcry and forced Pretoria to defend its controversial guest.
The South African Litigation Centre's (SALC) had sought a court injunction to order the government to arrest Sudanese President al-Bashir and transfer him to the ICC, which has indicted him on war crimes and crimes against humanity charges over the long-drawn internecine war in Sudan's Darfur region.
As a signatory of the Rome Statute establishing the court, South Africa is bound to arrest the Sudanese leader.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said the warrant for al-Bashir’s arrest must be implemented by countries who have signed up to the Hague court's statutes.
“The court's warrant for the arrest of President al-Bashir on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes is a matter I take extremely seriously,” he said.
-0- PANA CU/SEG 15June2015
