Malawi won’t host AU summit

Malawi Government has resolved not to host the African Union Summit after the AU Commission insisted Malawi was obliged to welcome Sudanese president Omar Al Bashir wanted by the International Criminal Court of Justice.

Vice President Khumbo Kachali made the announcement during a special address in the capital, Lilongwe on Friday, saying Malawi cannot be forced to host Al Bashir as it also has International obligations including being a party to the ICC.
“The Cabinet met on June 8, 2012  and agreed that it is not in the best interests of all Malawians to accept the condition put forward by the African Union Commission to receive Al Bashir. Therefore, Malawi will not be hosting the AU summit  and we have informed the African Union Commission,” said Kachali.
Kachali said the AU Commission wrote to Malawi to inform the country that it was under obligation to invite all Heads of States, including Al Bashir or it will move the summit to somewhere else.
Kachali said Malawi was well prepared for the summit and an evaluation mission from the African Union left the country last week satisfied with the progress.
“Cabinet took decision with the primary consideration of what is in the best interests of Malawians. While we have obligations to abide by decision of the African Union, we are also under obligation to the other international agreements including the Roman Statutes,” said the
Vice President.
The Vice President was accompanied by Minister of Lands Henry Phoya.