President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed displeasure over the way the International Criminal Court (ICC) is handling issues relating to the trial of President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya.
He made this position known while addressing the extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of States and Government of African Union in Addis Ababa, convened to discuss Africa’s relationship with the ICC, especially issues concerning the trial of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The President accused the ICC of glaring bias against Africa, insisting that what the Kenyan President needs now is support from the international community and for the ICC to show understanding.
He therefore, enjoined his colleagues on the African Union to show solidarity with one another and this time, with the Government and people of Kenya.
“In this regard, it is important that we maintain our unity and speak with one voice on Kenya,” he said.
President Jonathan spoke further, “In expressing my support for Kenya on its difficulties with the ICC, I will like to acknowledge that five years after the post-election violence of 2007, the people of Kenya have proven to the world that they are capable of expressing their sovereign wishes in a free, fair and credible manner in accordance with democratic norms and values.
“This is a clear demonstration to the world that the people of Kenya are in the best position to determine their own future and deal with their last.
“To further consolidate this, I would like to urge the Kenyan Parliament to hasten it’s consideration of the Report of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission to facilitate the implementation of its recommendations in order to accelerate the process of national healing”,
President Jonathan also noted that Articles of Rome Statute were of grave concern to Africa, particularly Article 27 which denies immunity to all persons without regard to customary international law, conventions and established norms, stressing that it must be amended.
