Africa

December 9, 2016 (EL-FASHER) - A huge fire broke out on Friday evening at the headquarters of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur known as UNAMID.

Flames and think smoke could be seen rising at kilometres from the building in the capital of North Darfur State, El Fasher.

UNAMID fire fighters brought the fire under control. No human casualties have been reported as of press time.

Also, the mission didn't issue a statement on the incident or its cause.

A UNAMID security member told Sudan Tribune that the blaze was likely caused by a cooking gas leak in the kitchen at the headquarters.

The sources who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the press, said the fire was extinguished without loss of life.

This is not the first blaze at the UNAMID headquarters in El Fasher.

On 20 April 2009, a fire caused a $5 million worth of damage to the communications equipment, office furniture and a water treatment laboratory.

(ST)

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated the Nana Akufo-Addo on his election as President of Ghana and thanked outgoing President John Dramani Mahama for his role in defusing tensions and preserving peace during the election period.

Welcoming the announcement of a temporary cessation of hostilities by the Libyan National Army in the Ganfouda area, in the Libyan city of Benghazi, to allow evacuation of civilians, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Libya called on the parties to the conflict to ensure that civilians are protected.

Expressing deep concern that civilians remain in Ganfouda area of the Libyan city, Benghazi, despite a unilateral ceasefire announced by the Libyan National Army, the United Nations envoy for the country called on the parties to provide another safe passage to allow for the evacuation of all civilians who wish to leave in a secure and dignified manner.

Strongly condemning the outgoing Gambian President&#39s rejection of the outcome of the Presidential election in the country, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council called on him to carry out a peaceful and orderly transition process.

December 9, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Friday has seized print runs of the independent daily Al-Jareeda for the sixth time within twelve days from the printing house without giving reasons.

Journalists working for Al-Jareeda told Sudan Tribune that the NISS seeks to put pressure on the newspaper to mitigate the harsh criticism of the government contained in the Op-ed articles and in particular by columnists Osman Shabona and Mohamed Wida'aa.

NISS has recently intensified crackdown on newspapers for publishing news reports and articles on the nationwide civil disobedience act which took place between 27 and 29 November. During the last couple of weeks, it seized copies of various dailies 22 times.

Al-Jareeda has been one of the most newspapers in Sudan subject to suspension and confiscation. Last May, the NISS had confiscated copies of the newspaper four times during five days.

The NISS routinely confiscates newspapers either to prevent circulation of certain stories or to punish them retroactively on previous issues.

It uses seizures of print copies of newspapers, not only to censor the media but also to weaken them economically.

The state-run Sudanese National Council for Press and Publications (NCPP) rarely interferes to stop the security punishments although it is the official body responsible for running the work of newspapers in the Sudan.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

December 9, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Chairperson of the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Friday urged Kenyan Government to reverse its decision to withdraw its troops from war torn South Sudan.

IGAD chair, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn made the calls at the 29th IGAD extraordinary summit of heads of state and government opened today in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

“South Sudan still remains on critical juncture and the economy stays in sever progress and humanitarian situation also calls for serious attention” Hailemariam said in his opening remark.

He said peace in South Sudan is equally crucial for peace and security in the volatile east African region.

He noted Kenya is an anchor for peace and security in South Sudan and at the region at large.

“I therefore appeal up on the Kenyan government to reconsider its decision to withdraw its forces from South Sudan and to consider its participation”

Last month Kenyan government ordered an immediate withdrawal of its troops deployed in South Sudan, and discontinues plans to contribute to the Regional Protection Force.

A week later Kenya withdrew a first batch of around 100 troops.

Kenya's decision to withdraw its troops who had served in a UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan was in response to the sacking of Kenyan commander of the UNMISS force.

UN has accused UNMISS of failing to respond to an attack on a Juba hotel during fighting in July leading to killing of civilians.

In response, UN secretary general, Ban Ki Moon's fired UNMISS force Commander Lt. Gen. Johnson Mogoa Kimani.

Here at the IGAD summit, the Ethiopian premier lauded South Sudan President, Salva Kiir, for allowing deployment of regional protection force in to the youngest nation.

He stressed a need for the rival parties to unconditionally cease fire and refrain from hostilities if the world's youngest nation is to secure durable peace and security and to achieve sustainable development.

Hailemariam further said emerging demand by some parties for the reversion of the peace deal is unacceptable.

He added peace agreement is the only roadmap for sustainable peace in South Sudan.

Discussion and consultations on the current situation in South Sudan and Somalia are top on agenda.

(ST)

December 9, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government has expressed disappointment to the threat of targeted sanctions and arms embargo proposed by the United States at the United Nations Security Council.

In a letter seen by Sudan Tribune the government states that the proposals seriously undermine the sovereignty and internal processes to consolidate peace in the war ravaged nation.

“The government of South Sudan holds the view that the threat of sanctions against government officials are aimed at derailing the entire peace process, perpetuating a state of crisis in South Sudan and to justify International action in the country, so the government rejects the U.S. proposal entirely,” reads the letter addressed to the United Nations Security Council on 6 December.

The Minister in the Office of the President, Mayiik Ayii Deng, who signed the letter, highlighted progress made in the implementation of the peace agreement signed in August 2015. Also, he pointed that to the measures being undertaken by the government in order to rebuild a consensus on the peace agreement through national dialogue.

“The threat of sanctions against prominent government officials has been seen as an act of bad faith intended to weaken the government by creating divisions and raises the suspicion for a regime change agenda”, he stressed.

Last November, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power proposed to impose sanctions on former First Vice President Riek Machar, SPLA Chief of Staff Paul Malong and Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth.

The proposed sanctions include also an arms embargo.

But Washington abandoned the idea after opposition by the veto-power Russia and several other members.

The government argued that taking away the coercive power of the state weakens it from being able to maintain law and order and exacerbates uncontrollable anarchy in the country.

The letter further denies claims that South Sudan is on the verge of Genocide and described it as a tool of objective propaganda for those who want to take over South Sudan as a colony.

It objects to the arms embargo and argued that attempts to deny the government access to weapons could presumably be used to carry out genocide as devoid of merit, saying genocide could be committed with crude inexpensive weapons.

The letter highlights improvement in foreign relations between South Sudan and its neighbours in the interest of peace internally and across the region.

The government implores the members of the Security Council to reject any such proposals, saying it needs now political, financial and moral support to consolidate peace, promote reconciliation and to end violence in the country.

“The Government of the Republic of South Sudan needs the Security Council as a partner for peace, not as a party to the conflict and such proposals that punish peacemakers go contrary to the partnership and controvert efforts to ensure international peace”, the letter concludes.

(ST)

December 9, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) Friday said it wouldn't participate in the opposition forces' workshop organized by the Carter Center in Nairobi to discuss peace in Sudan.

SPLM-N leader Malik Agar (C) his deputy Abdel Aziz al-Hilu (L) and SG Yasir Arman pose for a picture in undisclosed location in the rebel controlled areas in March 2014 (AFP/Getty Photo)

The Carter Center, on Wednesday, said a delegation of experts would conduct meetings to explore ways to bring peace in Sudan, pointing the meetings “are not part of the official mediation that the African Union is conducting, but rather supplemental, exploratory gatherings designed to begin to identify points of common ground among all key Sudanese parties”.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Friday, SPLM-N peace file spokesperson Mubarak Ardol said they apologized for not attending the Carter Center workshop for the opposition forces in Nairobi, pointing they thanked them for extending the invitation.

“There are several reasons why we apologized for not attending the workshop including the government's continued use of food as weapon and refusal to open humanitarian corridors besides targeting of the Two Areas residents on racial bases and the ongoing aerial and artillery bombing of civilians,” read the statement .

“Also, SPLM-N leadership has decided to stop all political contacts with the regime and to give humanitarian issues priority over political issues,” it added.

South Kordofan and neighbouring Blue Nile states, also known as the “Two Areas” have been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and Sudanese army since 2011.

The African Union has been seeking to end the conflict for several years. However since last August the peace talks are deadlocked over cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access deals.

Ardol further added that among the reasons why they apologized for not attending the proposed workshop is their demand to investigate allegations of chemical weapons use by the Sudanese army in Darfur, saying there are signs that it might have also been used in the Two Areas.

Last September, Amnesty International reported that over 200 people had been killed in Darfur Jebel Marra area by banned chemical weapons since January 2016. But the government denied the claims.

Ardol also pointed to the mass detentions of political leaders and activists and recent crackdown on press freedoms, saying this “atmosphere is not conducive for dialogue”.
He underscored SPLM-N's support for the December 19th civil disobedience call and urged opposition forces to play an active role in the event.

(ST)

December 9, 2016 (JUBA)- South Sudan Salva Kiir has on Friday left the national capita, Juba, for the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to take part in a meeting of the head of states and governments of the East African regional body, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

South Sudan President Salva Kiir waits for the arrival of his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, in Juba on May 23, 2013. (Photo Reuters)

The IGAD summit will discuss the going economic, political and security situation in South Sudan, Somalia and other challenges facing the region.

President Kiir, according to a statement from his office, is expected to hold bilateral meetings with the IGAD head of States on areas of common interest.

He is accompanied by several high level government ministers and security officials.

The trip to Ethiopia is the third foreign visit after Equatorial Guinea and South Africa after his troops loyal to him and his main political rival and former First Vice President turned rebel leader, Riek Machar, clashed at the presidential palace in July, returning to the country to war after it first descended in violence conflict in 2013.

(ST)

It used to be a cultural taboo for a woman to ask for sexual gratification in Nigeria, but there's a mini-revolution going on the in bedroom, writes the BBC's Bola Mosuro.

Ghana's opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo wins Wednesday's presidential election.

Cameroon's "protected" Penja pepper has helped to transform the region, economically.

A new three-word postal system is introduced in Ivory Coast, allowing the whole country to receive mail.

(Kinshasa) – The European Union and United States should expand targeted sanctions against those most responsible for recent violent repression and other serious human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a coalition of 72 Congolese and 15 international human rights organizations said today.

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Pro-democracy youth activists at a protest against election delays in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on September 19, 2016.

© 2016 Private

Ten days before the December 19, 2016, deadline marking the end of President Joseph Kabila’s constitutionally mandated two-term limit, he still has not made any clear commitment on when or even if he will step down. At the same time, government repression against pro-democracy activists, the political opposition, largely peaceful protesters, and the media has intensified at an alarming rate.

“Imposing targeted sanctions on senior officials, especially before December 19, could help walk Congo back from the brink and deter further violent repression,” said Me Georges Kapiamba, president of the Congolese Association for Access to Justice (ACAJ). “Such action would show that with each passing day, the consequences for the government will be greater.”

Opposition leaders and pro-democracy activists have called for Congolese to take to the streets if President Kabila stays in office beyond his mandate. Past protests suggest that they will be met by security forces quick to use excessive and lethal force. There are risks that political leaders could mobilize the dozens of armed groups active in eastern Congo for political ends, or that the country’s brittle security forces could fracture if Kabila relies on force to stay in power. This raises concerns that the country could descend into further repression or widespread violence and chaos, with potentially volatile repercussions across the region.

Earlier targeted sanctions imposed by the US on three security force officers at the forefront of violence against protesters had a notable deterrent effect and rattled those implicated, the organizations said. The US should impose targeted sanctions against more senior level officials.

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Police detain members of the youth movement Filimbi after a peaceful sit-in outside the African Union (AU) office in Kinshasa on October 29, 2016.

© Private

In October, the EU Foreign Ministers stated that the EU would “use all means at its disposal” against individuals responsible for serious human rights violations, who promote violence, or who “obstruct a consensual and peaceful solution to the crisis.” In November, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on the EU to urgently implement targeted sanctions. The EU is due to discuss Congo and possibly move forward with targeted sanctions during its next Foreign Affairs Council meeting on December 12.

Such targeted sanctions could include travel bans, asset freezes, and the blocking of bank accounts and financial transactions linked to the individuals.

“President Kabila and Congolese officials need to be sent a strong message that violating the rights of the Congolese people is costly for those responsible,” said Ida Sawyer, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Acting now to help prevent the situation in Congo from spiraling out of control will be critical to stability, the rule of law, and respect for fundamental human rights in Congo and throughout the region.”

Signatories:

International organizations

1. Agir Ensemble pour les Droits de l'Homme (AEDH)
2. Ecumenical Network Central Africa (OENZ)
3. The Enough Project
4. European Network for Central Africa (EurAc)
5. Fédération internationale de l’Action des chrétiens pour l’abolition de la torture (FIACAT)
6. Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l’Homme (FIDH)
7. Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
8. Global Witness
9. Human Rights Watch
10. Never Again Coalition
11. PAX
12. Protection International 
13. Reporters sans Frontières/Reporters Without Borders
14. Save the Congo
15. World Organization Against Torture (OMCT)

Congolese organizations

1. Action Chrétienne Contre la Torture (ACAT) – RDC
2. Action d’Aide aux Survivants de la Torture (AAST/Relève)
3. Action de Solidarité de Femmes pour la Femme et l’Enfant (ASOFFE)
4. Action pour la Bienveillance Humanitaire (AB/ Humanitaire)
5. Action pour la Justice et le Développement (AJD)
6. Action pour la Paix et la Protection de l'Enfant (APPE)
7. Action pour la Protection des Droits Humains et de Développement Communautaire (APDHUD)
8. Agir pour la Reconstruction de notre Espace et pour la Convivialité (AGIREC)
9. Agir Rapidement pour la Femme (ARF)
10. Association africaine de défense des droits de l’Homme (ASADHO)
11. Association Congolaise pour l’Accès à la Justice (ACAJ)
12. Association de défense des Droits de la Femme (ADDF)
13. Association des Femmes Juristes Congolaises (AFEJUCO)
14. Association des Femmes pour le Développement Communautaire (AFEMDECO)
15. Association des Femmes pour le Développement Endogène Mboko/Fizi (AFDEM)
16. Association des Jeunes pour la Protection de l’Environnement Fizi (AJPEF)
17. Association des Jeunes pour le Développement Intégral de Kalundu/Uvira (AJEDIK)
18. Association pour le Développement des Initiatives Paysannes (ASSODIP)
19. Association pour le Développement Intégral du Haut Plateau de Fizi (ADIPF)
20. Association pour les Droits Humanitaires (ADH)
21. Bureau de Promotion Socioculturelle (BUPSOC)
22. Centre de Promotion Socio-Sanitaire (CEPROSSAN)
23. Centre de Rééducation pour l’Enfance Délinquance et Défavorisée (CREDD)     
24. Centre d'Observation des Droits de l'Homme et d'Assistance Sociale (CODHAS)
25. Centre Indépendant de Recherches et d’Études Stratégiques au Kivu (CIRESKI)
26. Centre International de Promotion et de Développement et des Droits de l'Homme (CEIPEDHO)
27. Cercle international pour la Défense des Droits de l’Homme, la Paix et l’Environnement (CIDDHOPE)
28. Cercle National de Réflexion sur la Jeunesse (CNRJ RDC)
29. Comité de Coordination des Actions de Paix (CCAP)
30. Commission Internationale en Formation des Droits de l’Homme (CIFDH)
31. Convention pour le Respect des Droits de l’Homme (CRDH)
32. Congrès pour le Renouveau Syndical (CORES)
33. Debout Fille de Fizi (DFF)
34. Femme en Danger (FED)
35. Femme et Enfant en Détresse (SOS FED)
36. Femme pour le Développement des Mutuelles de Solidarités à Fizi (FDMUSOF)
37. Femme qui en Soulève une Autre (FESA)
38. Femmes Engagées pour la Promotion de la Santé Intégrale (FEPSI)
39. Femmes Juristes pour la défense des Droits de la Femme (FJDF)
40. Fraternité des Prisons (FP)
41. Genre pour l’Appui au Développement (GAD)
42. Great Lakes Human Rights Program (GLHRP)
43. Groupe d’Action Non-Violente Évangélique (GANVE)
44. Groupe d’Associations de Défense des Droits de l’Homme et de Paix (GADHOP)
45. Groupe Lotus (GL)
46. Institut Africain de Formation en Droits Humains (INAFDH)
47. Juriste en Action (JURAC)
48. JUSTICIA Asbl
49. Ligue contre la Fraude et la Corruption (LICOF)
50. Ligue des Activistes des Droits de l'Homme (LADHO)
51. Ligue des électeurs (LE)
52. Ligue pour la Défense et la Vulgarisation des Droits Humains (LDVDH)
53. Mama Tupendane (MT)
54. Mama Tushirikiane (MATU)
55. Maniema Libertés (MALI)
56. Maniema Tuende Mbele (MTM)
57. Mobilisation, Encadrement Écologie et Défense des Droits Humains par les Amis des Familles Démunies (MEEDAF)
58. Œuvre Chrétienne pour la Femme (OCF)
59. Organisation Communautaire pour la Conservation de la Nature (OCCN)
60. Organisation de Paix pour les Opportunités et le Développement (OPOD)
61. Organisation pour la Promotion et Protection des Droits Humains (OPPDH)
62. Pax Christ Butembo  
63. Psychologues sans Frontières (PSF)
64. Relance pour la Fille de Sion (RFS)
65. Réseau des Activistes des Droits Humains de Fizi
66. Réseau des Communicateurs Humanitaires (RCH)
67. Réseau des Parajuristes du Maniema (REPAJUMA)   
68. Réseaux de Femmes pour le Développement de Jeunes d’Itombwe (RFDJI)
69. Service Par, Pour et Avec les Femmes (SEPPAF)
70. Solidarité des Associations Féminines pour les Droits de Femmes et de l’Enfant (SAFDF)
71. Solidarité des Hommes pour la Protection et la Promotion des Femmes (SHPF)
72. Wamama Tusimame (WATU)

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The UN Security Council holds consultations in New York about the escalating political crisis in Congo, on December 5, 2016.

© 2016 Timo Mueller/Human Rights Watch

Following a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo last month, the UN Security Council held consultations on Monday in New York about the escalating political crisis in the country.

All 15 members of the Council, plus the chief of Congo’s UN peacekeeping mission  (MONUSCO) Maman Sidikou, and Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, shared a strong sense of foreboding. It is now less than two weeks before the end of President Joseph Kabila’s second term on December 19.

In a strongly-worded statement, the President of the Council emphasized concerns “about the risk for destabilization of the country and the region as a whole … in the absence of a swift and consensual resolution to the current political crisis.” In the words of the ambassador of New Zealand, “there has been no shortcoming of warnings to the Security Council regarding the risk of conflict in the DRC.”

Angola evoked the threat to “regional peace and security,” calling on all sides to avoid violence “at all costs.” Ukraine’s ambassador warned that “if the situation descends into violence, there will be no winners but only losers,” reminding Council members that the “deaths of protesters [during demonstrations in September] are fresh in our memory.” He called for “maximum restraint.”

Sharing the sense of urgency, France warned that “if there is a spiral of violence, nobody can say where it will stop and when it will stop.” More subdued but still concerned, the Ambassador of China cautioned that the “political process is at a critical juncture” and the security situation “still fragile.”

The ambassador of the United Kingdom cautioned that “we all know what comes next if he [President Kabila] makes the wrong decision. We saw it in the bloodied streets of Kinshasa in September. We cannot allow a repeat of such barbarity in a fortnight’s time.” He called on the Council to send an unequivocal message to Kabila to make a commitment that he will not stand for a third term as president. “The two term limit cannot be changed,” he said, “and certainly not just to suit one man’s political agenda.” The ambassador said that there must be “consequences” for Kabila if he were to decide otherwise. The ambassador also called on the Security Council to take guidance from the European Union, which threatened to impose sanctions on members of the Congolese security forces responsible for serious abuses.  

“Kabila needs to make a clear and public statement that he will not seek a third term,” the US ambassador said. She stressed that “elections could take place in 2017,” because it is not a “technical problem” but a “problem of political will.”

Nearly all ambassadors called on political stakeholders in Congo to resume dialogue and find meaningful compromise. In this regard, the US ambassador cited the Catholic Church’s efforts, which “present the best hope” in her opinion, while Japan called for “direct dialogue” between President Kabila and opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi.

Regarding MONUSCO’s role, the UK ambassador insisted that “the biggest peacekeeping mission in the world with a clear mandate to protect civilians robustly cannot stand by if civilians are threatened.” MONUSCO chief Sidikou elaborated on the measures the mission has taken to refine its contingency plans in order to diffuse potential violence and protect civilians. He stressed, however, that these efforts “may not be fully sufficient to mitigate or respond adequately to any major outbreak of politically-related violence,” and he warned that the UN’s military and police forces in Kinshasa “are stretched thin.”

Perhaps giving in to the pressure, Kabila met on Monday with the Catholic Church’s Conference of Episcopal Bishops in Congo (CENCO), and the presidency later issued a statement saying the president had urged the bishops to continue their mediation efforts – a seeming reversal from the statement released by his ruling coalition on Friday, calling the Catholic Church’s mediation efforts a failure.  

President Kabila should now take the next step and take action before December 19, including – most importantly – a public commitment that he will step down and not seek to change the constitution or run for a third term.

MONUSCO should also heed the calls from Security Council members and ensure that the mission is prepared to do all it can to protect the population during potential political violence on or around December 19. And UN member states, including police and military troop contributors to MONUSCO, should ensure the mission has the resources and will to effectively carry out its mandate.

As Kenya prepares to export oil, the promise of petrodollars has generated high expectations.

A selection of the best photos from across Africa this week.

December 7, 2016 (JUBA) - Rebel forces loyal to the former First Vice President Riek Machar said they had taken control of a new area in River Yei State, South Sudan's Central Equatoria.

Last weekend the armed group claims they overrun Lasu and Lobongo villages outside of Yei town, a common border between South Sudan and DRC.

John Sunday Martin, a commander of the SPLA-IO forces in the area said they captured Ombachi in Otogo Payam on Wednesday at around 4:00pm local time.

He further said they killed dozens of the government forces and "captured 4 RPGs, 6 PKM and 15 AK47 with rounds of ammunitions including 1 armed vehicle".

The rebel commander went further to say that their fighters are " advancing toward Yei from all directions" and called on civilians and aid workers to evacuate from Yei twon.

The government army didn't deny the rebel claims, also the SPLA spokesperson was not reachable for comment.

(ST)

December 8, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The International Criminal Court will hold a hearing on the cooperation of the South African government with the war crimes court next April, said a statement on Thursday.

International Criminal Court Judges at the Hague (Reuters)

The decision to hold a public hearing was taken after Pretoria refusal to arrest Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir while he was on its territory between 13 and 15 June 2015 for the meeting of the African Union summit in Johannesburg.

On 8 December 2016, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (the “ICC” or “Court”) issued a decision convening a public hearing on 7 April 2017, for the purposes of a determination, under article 87(7) of the Rome Statute, on the compliance by the Republic of South Africa with the Court's request for arrest and surrender of Mr Omer al Bashir to the Court.

In line with the article 87(7), of Rome Statute, any State Party failing to comply with a request to cooperate by the Court is actually considered as preventing the Court from exercising its functions.

The ICC in such a case can decide to "refer the matter to the Assembly of States Parties or, where the Security Council referred the matter to the Court, to the Security Council,” provides the article.

The case of Darfur war crimes was referred to the Court by the UN Security Council as the Sudan is not a State Party to Rome Statute.

The ICC had already urged the Security Council to take action over Chad and Djibouti failure to arrest the Sudanese president who is charged with criminal responsibility on 10 counts , including genocide, torture and rape.

Last June ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda blamed the UN Security Council for inaction to enforce two arrest warrants against President al-Bashir saying its position damaged the credibility of both the Council and the International Criminal Court.

"The council's failure to act in response to 11 findings of non-compliance issued by ICC judges has equally emboldened states ... not only to facilitate Mr. al-Bashir's travels to their territories but to invite and host him," Bensouda said.

(ST)