Highlight
The United States harsh stance remains over Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
The US expressed concern on Monday 31st August 2015 over Bashir’s plans to visit China, despite his International Criminal Court indictment for alleged war crimes in Darfur.
Summary
The US and China’s different attitudes against Africa’s most wanted president by the ICC over war crimes reflect the competing interests both countries have in Africa.
China and the United States are not signatories to the ICC but both are permanent members of the UN Security Council, which referred the Darfur case to the court.
As China weakens her stance against the ICC directive, the US remains stiff, maintaining that they oppose invitations, facilitation or support for travel by persons subject to outstanding ICC warrants.
Bashir last travelled to China, which has significant interests in Sudan’s oil sector and supports his government, in 2011.
Intelligence analysis has it that China could advance her outward differing attitude with the United States to assert her interest in some of Africa’s richest economies.
