Obama administration defends going to inauguration of Sudan president facing war crimes charge

US defends attending Sudan leader’s inauguration

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is defending its decision to send a representative to the inauguration of Sudan’s president, who won re-election despite facing an international arrest warrant for war crimes.

Omar al-Bashir was sworn in Thursday to another five-year term. Among those in attendance was a U.S. foreign service officer.

The State Department notes that the inauguration also was for a vice president, Salva Kiir, from the largest party representing southern Sudan.

Al-Bashir is sought by the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands for allegedly masterminding atrocities in Darfur.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Friday that al-Bashir should cooperate with the court and “should be held accountable.”