International Relations focuses mostly on national interests although such interests are usually defined and projected by government functionaries. While governments may be inanimate structures, those who operate governments are human and as such are expected to have sensibilities.
It is in this light that the affiliation between Rwanda and Sudan on the issue of the UN Court system is to be appraised. The two countries have agreed to jointly confront the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing it of targeting only African leaders.
Sudanese President, Omar Bashir, and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, struck the deal as they held talks in Khartoum last week. President Kagame had arrived in the Sudanese capital for a two-day visit. In effect, the two Presidents summoned the courage to voice out what majority of African leaders know to be true.
Addressing a joint news conference, after a closed-door meeting with his host, President Kagame stressed that the African Union would remain opposed to the ICC, because the organization has been targeting the continent’s leaders in its biased justice system. “We have also talked about the ICC and I can say our opposition has been very clear,” President Kagame emphasised.
President Bashir hailed the Rwandan government for embracing a position that seeks to protect Sudan and other African nations from what he called the “international agenda”. He also called for better coordination between the African governments to implement the AU stance on the ICC.
It will be recalled that President Bashir of Sudan had been indicted by the ICC since 2009 for alleged genocide and war crimes in Darfur region. The two presidents also agreed to push for reforms at the AU for better coordination at all levels.
They also discussed several regional concerns, including the crisis in South Sudan while agreeing to initiate a political consultation committee between their countries and to enhance bilateral trade.
President Kagame was also scheduled to visit the Sudanese Museum and other archaeological areas in the north, as well as address a symposium at the Africa International University (AIU) in Khartoum.
