Sober approach to ICC matters critical

Qatar, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Chad appear to be the only nations in the world that are prepared to ignore the 2009 and 2010 warrants of arrest for Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.

Between the four of them, they have hosted the International Criminal Court (ICC) indictee at least 17 times, with each boasting at least one visit this year.

Despite African Union views on the ICC, few other nations in Africa or the Arab world have seen it fit to thumb their noses at the court by extending an invitation to Bashir.

Iran, Iraq, Libya and Egypt took visits from Bashir last year, but have only had him over once or twice.

Every other country has either snubbed him or refused to brook a second visit after the backlash that came from their first visit by the Darfur war-crimes indictee.

Chad seems destined to join the list of the reluctant, having cancelled a meeting this month after an avalanche of criticism from the international community.

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There are lessons here for Kenya, both in how to deal with Bashir and the ICC. Despite speculation ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s inauguration, Kenya is also almost certainly not likely to welcome a Bashir visit any time soon.

The ICC warrants, as well as High Court orders issued in 2011, and the status of the Kenya cases all make this a diplomatic nightmare to be avoided.

This approach is also reflected in relations with the ICC, which we trust will remain on an even keel, public mood and political rhetoric notwithstanding.