Sudan's Bashir to honour Russia invitation despite arrest warrant

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir is set to visit Russia following an invitation from his Russian counterpart to discuss regional and international issues.

Bashir will be in Moscow in August, according to Sudan’s Foreign Minister.

Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour said the visit would discuss a number of important issues including trade and economic cooperation and political coordination.

Bashir’s international visits have always been a concern given that he is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and genocide.

The Hague-based court issued two arrest warrants against Bashir in 2009 and 2010.

However, he has continued to travel freely in Africa, Arab countries and Asia, defying the ICC arrest warrants.

Despite Russia signing the Rome Statute in setting up the court, it formally withdrew its signature and is not obliged to arrest Bashir.

Meanwhile, ICC will this week declare whether the South African government was wrong not to detain Bashir during a 2015 visit to the country.