ICC: Push and Pull Over Presidential Immunity From ICC Trial
There was a spirited push by the African Union and Kenya's Attorney General at the ICC Assembly of States Parties on Thursday, November 21, as they advocated immunity against a sitting president; due to threats such action poses to peace and security. Kenya's Attorney General Githu Muigai, urged the Assembly to consider the request by the African Union, pegging his appeal on peace and stability in the region, while at the same time reminding them of the uniqueness of the Kenyan situation where a sitting head of state Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto are facing crimes against humanity trials.
The African Union, in a request presented to the assembly and adopted on Wednesday, wants Article 27 of the Rome Statute amended to shield sitting heads of state from indictment, arguing that it undermines peace and security. The agenda was subjected to intense debate on Thursday afternoon for consideration by the assembly members, and met equal opposition from civil society organizations and western nations who felt that exempting heads of state from prosecution while in office will likely promote impunity.
KENYA: Kenya’s bid to stop ICC trials fails at the UN
The UN Security Council rejected a resolution to defer the International Criminal Court cases involving President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto. The vote in the 15-member council was seven countries in favour, none opposed and eight abstaining, including US, Britain and France.
However, in a sharp reaction to the outcome of the vote, Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Ministry accused the “important members” of the Security Council of abdication of global leadership and humiliating the African continent and its leadership. While appreciating China and Azerbaijan (in the chair) and Rwanda, Togo and Morocco — the three African members on the Security Council for their exemplary leadership, the statement accused the US and UK of contempt for the African position and a lack of appreciation of peace and security issues in the region.
CHAD: PM resigns ahead of censure vote
Chad's Prime Minister Joseph Djimrangar Dadnadji has resigned along with his cabinet, a day before legislators from his own ruling majority had planned to examine a motion of censure against the government. The Prime Minister's resignation letter to President Idriss Deby was read on state television on Thursday, November 21.
However, according to opposition leader, Saleh Kebzabo, the resignation was a missed opportunity to interrogate Dadnadji on his rule. The 74 signatories of the motion are all from the prime minister's own party, and accused him of "arbitrary arrests of deputies" in the motion. The accusations date back to May 1 of this year when the government uncovered a coup plot and went on to order the arrest of multiple senators and deputies on suspicion of complicity.
MOZAMBIQUE: Ruling party leads vote count
Mozambique's ruling party has taken a commanding lead in elections for mayors and local assembly members, preliminary results showed. Frelimo, which has been victorious in all elections since the end of Mozambique's civil war in 1992, looked set for convincing wins in its traditional bastions in the south. It had won all 37 municipalities where full results were in, but was trailing elsewhere, according to the first results released by the elections office.
Polling on Wednesday November 20, was calm in zones worst affected by recent deadly fighting between government troops and supporters of the main opposition party Renamo. However, Renamo boycotted the polls, arguing that election laws needed to be changed.