ICC's Al Bashir ruling an indictment on ANC government: DA

06 July 2017 - 19:49 By Timeslive
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Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. File photo.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. File photo.
Image: MOELETSI MABE

Thursday’s unanimous ruling by the International Criminal Court (ICC) that South Africa had a duty to arrest Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir in June 2015 and failed to adhere to the Rome Statute and the court’s ruling by not arresting him is an indictment on the ANC-led government‚ the Democratic Alliance says.

“This judgement reiterates what the DA has long held – that the actions of the ANC-led government in June 2015 showed a disregard for the Rule of Law and for the principle of justice‚” said James Selfe‚ chairperson of the DA’s federal executive.

“This ruling upholds the ruling of our domestic courts on this matter and is thus to be welcomed whole-heartedly.

“It is however of grave concern that the ANC remains committed to the stance of withdrawing from the ICC‚ having reiterated this sentiment at its policy conference‚” Selfe added.

He said the ANC seemed intent on relegating South Africa to the status of a “scumbag nation which protects the law-breakers and corruptors of this world”.

“Ironically‚ while South Africa tried to lead an African wide revolt against the ICC‚ only Burundi and Gambia followed in our footsteps‚ and even then‚ Gambia reversed their withdrawal earlier this year.

“The DA will continue to do everything possible to ensure that our country remains a democracy where the Rule of Law is sovereign – the days of protection for those close to Zuma and the ANC‚ be they Al Bashir or the Gupta family‚ are numbered‚” Selfe asserted.

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