AU against trial of Kenyatta

In this photograph released by Kenya's Presidency, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) shares a light moment with Deputy President William Ruto (right) before departing to attend the AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the airport in Nairobi. File photo: AP

In this photograph released by Kenya's Presidency, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) shares a light moment with Deputy President William Ruto (right) before departing to attend the AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the airport in Nairobi. File photo: AP

Published Oct 12, 2013

Share

Addis Ababa -

The African Union's executive council condemned the International Criminal Court's charges against President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya as “totally unacceptable,” Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Saturday.

Kenyatta faces crimes against humanity charges for Kenya's 2007-2008 post-election violence in which more than 1 000 people died.

The African Union council feels the Kenyatta's trial will hinder Kenya's fight against terrorism, said Dina Mufti. The AU's council proposed that Africans should deal with cases of genocide through an AU-backed court, and should not be forced to resort to the ICC in The Hague.

These points will be presented to African heads of state attending a special summit on Saturday to discuss Africa's relationship with the ICC.

Some African leaders have indicated their countries may sever ties with the ICC in solidarity with Kenya. Some African leaders accuse the ICC of disproportionately targeting Africans. The international court has indicted only Africans so far. - Sapa-AP

Related Topics: