ICC in Nairobi as Kenya Looks to African Union for Trial Deferment
January 27, 2011
Kenyan protesters hold placards while shouting slogans during a protest in Nairobi, Jan 18 2011
The African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is being anxiously watched by observers in Nairobi and The Hague. One of the items on the agenda could be the deferment of Kenya's post-election-chaos trial at the International Criminal Court.
The Kenyan government has been pushing for this shield against the Court, and the past two weeks have seen a sort of African shuttle diplomacy, with Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka jetting around the continent to rally support. Musyoka has reportedly secured the blessings of South African President Jacob Zuma, Ugandan Leader Yoweri Museveni and Ethiopian President Meles Zenawi, all major players in the continental body.
Some politicians in Kenya support the deferral on the grounds that a local trial would better serve the cause of justice, but that stance has been controversial. Prime Minister Raila Odinga recently came out in favor of ICC trials. Kenyan MP and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Richard Onyonka said local trials would only be possible if certain steps are taken.
"Kenya can have a deferment, but there are things we must do," said Onyonka. "We must put a judiciary which is believable, which is beyond reproach. We must make sure that we start engaging the Security Council to make sure that we explain to them why feel that there is a necessity to have a local tribunal. "
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