AU urges ICC to respect the immunity of sitting African presidents

The African Union, AU, is following with keen interest, the trial of former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo at the International Criminal Court.

The AU Political Affairs Commission reiterated the stands of the body concerning the ICC during a press conference on Thursday in Addis Ababa.

“The African Union as the Union of African people does not condone impunity. President Kenyatta and President Omar Al Bashir- are serving sitting presidents that enjoy immunity. Presidents should be respected so long as they are serving.” Julia Dolly Joiner, AU commissioner for political affairs said.

The Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs said the ICC verdict on the case is highly expected , adding the government is following all the developments keenly.

“We have had 10 years of difficulty in Ivory Coast. We are working on the reconciliation process. All of this must be consolidated on the basis of justice,” Albert Toikeusse Mabri, Ivorian minister of foreign affairs told Antoine Galindo, Africanews correspondent in Ethiopia .

Laurent Gbagbo is being tried alongside youth leader Charles Blé Goude. They are standing trial for their alleged roles in the post electoral violence in 2011 which led to the death of nearly 3000 people.