Press release

FCO Minister comments on Sudanese President’s visit to Nigeria

Minister for Africa expresses disappointment that Nigeria has chosen to host President Al Bashir of Sudan despite ICC arrest warrants.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Speaking today, Foreign Office Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds said:

“The UK has a strong and abiding bilateral relationship with Nigeria. I am therefore disappointed that Nigeria has chosen to host President Al Bashir of Sudan at an African Union event, despite International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants against him for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. This undermines the work of the ICC and sends the victims a dismaying message that the accountability they are waiting for will be delayed further. The British Government takes seriously its obligations as a State Party to the Rome Statute and consistently urges other State Parties in all parts of the world to do the same.”

Further information

UK and Nigeria

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Published 15 July 2013