Kenya defends failure to arrest genocide-charged Sudanese president; cites national interest

Kenya: Sudan presidential visit ‘in our interest’

NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s government says it did not arrest Sudan’s president on international charges of war crimes and genocide because of its strategic interest in the neighboring country.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister Richard Onyonka said Sunday that arresting President Omar al-Bashir during his Friday visit to Kenya may have adversely affected peace in Sudan. Sudan is preparing for a referendum next year in which the south may secede.

Kenya drew international criticism for inviting Al-Bashir to witness the signing of Kenya’s new constitution. Kenyan officials said they could not deny an invitation to a friendly neighbor and trading partner.

Al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court for allegedly masterminding the genocide in Sudan’s Darfur region.