France says vote for postponement was not necessary

By BERNARD OGINGA

NAIROBI, KENYA: France has explained why it joined seven other countries in abstaining from voting for the deferral of cases against President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for a year.

A statement by the French Permanent Representative to the United Nations Security Council Gérard Araud said it was not necessary for African states to seek for a postponement since there are already solutions or proposals to ensure that trials against Kenyatta and Ruto continue without interfering with their duties.

According to France such solutions included requests by lawyers representing Kenyatta and Ruto for ICC to offer various relaxations of proceedings and an adjournment of the trial.

ICC judges have in the past accepted such requests in the case facing Deputy President William Ruto.

“The ICC itself had paved the way through the adoption of a series of decisions taking into account the need for Kenyan leaders to assume their responsibilities; alternate proceedings, ensuring that at no point the President and the Deputy President will be absent at the same time from Kenya, adjournment of the trial and the possibility to attend to only certain sessions during the trial.” Araud said.

France also said it did not deem it necessary to decide whether or not to postpone the two leaders’ trials because next week (November 20) the Assembly of States Parties meeting at The Hague will consider various recommendations on how to continue with the proceedings including the use of video conferencing.

France said it had made its opinion know to African Union representatives two weeks ago at an informal the Security Council meeting.

Despite not supporting the deferral request, France maintains that her relationship with Kenya is not sour.

“France is a friend and ally of Kenya. We understand the concerns of the country. We recognize the huge role played by Kenya in commitment to regional stability, particularly in Somalia.

“In this spirit, France will continue to work with Kenya and countries of the African Union countries’ to find solutions for Kenyan leaders to discharge their responsibilities in respect to the integrity of the Rome Statute.” France said.