Richard Wanambwa
17 December 2011
President Museveni has called on African countries to convene a special session to discuss the relevance of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Mr Museveni said the ICC seems to be targeting only African leaders despite overwhelming evidence that other leaders in the world are committing crimes.
He said Africa supported and participated in the formation of the court but it is time for African leaders to meet over the actions of the court.
“The issue of ICC is something we want to discuss among ourselves as Africans, but the way it is being implemented it seems like it is only Africans committing crimes. There are people who have committed crimes but nothing has been done on them,” Mr Museveni said without elaborating on who the said people are.
He added: “When I was in Arusha, some people suggested that we leave ICC but I don’t want to comment more.”
Mr Museveni’s comments come amid rising concern among some African countries about how Sudan’s president Omar Hassan al-Bashir has been treated by the ICC. Last year, the ICC issued a warrant of arrest for al-Bashir even though he has continued to travel, especially within Africa where governments have shunned implementing the ICC directive.
A Kenyan court recently though, ruled that their government would arrest al-Bashir if he visits the country again.
President Museveni was speaking at the closure of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region at Speke Resort Munyonyo at which Sudan was represented by its vice president.
The conference agreed on a time frame to eradicate existing armed groups in the region in conformity with the ICGLR protocol on non-aggression and mutual defence. There was also an agreement to increase financial and technical support for judicial and security sector reform on human rights and sexual gender-based violence.
Uganda to play training host
“Integrate sexual gender-based violence in the national planning frameworks and allocate budget lines for prevention and response to sexual gender-based violence, particularly the ministries of gender, health, defence, security, interior, local government, justice, education and youth. To declare zero tolerance on sexual gender based violence (SGBV) crimes and impunity,” reads part of the declaration signed by the participating countries.
The conference also agreed to fast-track the contribution to ICGLR special fund for reconstruction and development so that assistance for victims/ survivors of SGBV is provided in line with article 6 of the ICGLR protocol.
Uganda was chosen to host a regional SGBV training facility, while more strengthening and funding of the Lusaka-based Levy Mwanawasa Regional Centre for Democracy, Good Governance, Human Rights and Civic Education to fulfill its mandate.
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