Sudan

AU's call to delay Al Beshir trial illegal, Darfur rebels say

Article published on the 2008-07-22 Latest update 2008-07-23 13:07 TU

Jem fighters
(Photo: AFP)

The Justice and Equality Movement (Jem), Darfur's main rebel group, on Tuesday reacted with anger to the call by the African Union (AU) to delay legal action against Sudanese President Omar Al Beshir. African leaders argue that indicting Beshir for genocide in Darfur could jeopardize the country's peace process.

Khalil Ibrahim, leader of the Justice and Equality Movement, said African leaders have once again failed in taking their responsibility and he will not recognise the AU as mediator in the Darfur any more.

"They look very pious and they are not concerned with the suffering of the victims," Ibrahim told RFI.

The AU is "supporting and protecting the dictator leaders of Africa. The AU has become just a club for dictators," he added.

On Monday, the AU commission urged the United Nations Security Council to defer the process started by the International Criminal Court's prosecutor. African leaders argued that indicting Beshir for genocide in Darfur could jeopardize the country's peace process.

At the United Nations, UN spokesperson Michele Montas said Monday that the world body cannot interfere with the ICC decision to seek the arrest of Beshir.

The AU call to freeze legal action against Beshir could be taken up by the UN Security Council. The council could pass a resolution to defer any investigation or prosecution by the ICC and can be renewed by the council.