AS ICC ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR SUDAN’S PRESIDENT, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS UNITED

NATIONS VITAL PEACEKEEPING, HUMANITARIAN WORK IN COUNTRY WILL CONTINUE

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The International Criminal Court has today issued a warrant for the arrest of President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan, for his alleged responsibility for crimes committed in Darfur.

The Secretary-General recognizes the authority of the International Criminal Court as an independent judicial institution.

The Secretary-General trusts that the Government of Sudan will address the issues of peace and justice in a manner consistent with Security Council resolution 1593 (2005).  The United Nations will continue to conduct its vital peacekeeping, humanitarian, human rights and development operations and activities in Sudan.  The Secretary-General calls on the Government of Sudan to continue to cooperate fully with all United Nations entities and their implementing partners, while fulfilling its obligation to ensure the safety and security of the civilian population, United Nations personnel and property, and that of its implementing partners.

The Secretary-General calls on all parties to work in good faith towards a political solution to end the conflict in Darfur.  He also calls on the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to recommit themselves to the full and timely implementation of the Agreement, which remains the basis for the long term peace and security in Sudan.

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For information media • not an official record