Both Sudan and Ethiopia are not signatories of the ICC.

Ethiopia indicated that the measure taken by the ICC is dangerous. “It will not advance the cause of justice, human rights and humanitarian concerns in Darfur or in the rest of Sudan as a whole. In short, the decision of the ICC is not wise, prudent and constructive. It is, in fact, dangerous,” said a statement of Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the ministry, the situation is a serious development which warrants an urgent meeting of the Security Council to consider the matter. In the statement Ethiopia also called on the AU Peace and Security Council, of which it is a member, to meet urgently and consider this serious matter for the appropriate decision and action.

“The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has been saddened by this latest development and requests the Security Council to respond favorably to the request already made by the AU, a request which reflects the sentiments of Africa as a whole and, no doubt, the sentiments of all those who care for the peace, security and stability of Sudan and the sub-region and Africa as a whole,” the Ministry stated.

In a press briefing AU officials also denounced ICC’s decision and told journalists that AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping will travel to the UN headquarters to convince the Security Council and reverse the decision.

In a related development, South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Thursday called the ICC’s decision "regrettable."

The ICC On Wednesday issued a warrant for al-Bashir's arrest on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

"In the light of the decision of the ICC on Wednesday, South Africa concurs with the African Union's initial response that the ICC's decision is regrettable as it will impact negatively on the current peace processes in the Sudan," Dlamini-Zuma said in a statement.

According to critics most African countries are opposing the arrest warrant issued by the ICC against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir describing it as “pouring oil on the fire “, because they are afraid that the situation paves the way for other African leaders to be judged in the same manner.