Zuma and al-Bashir meet in China to strengthen relations
Relations between South Africa and Sudan remained “warm” said the office of President Jacob Zuma on Thursday, following a meeting between the nations’ two presidents in China.
“South Africa and Sudan enjoy warm bilateral relations,” said the South African Presidency’s spokesperson Bongani Majola.
This, despite the controversy surrounding Sundanese President Omar al-Bashir’s visit to South Africa in June for the African Union Summit.
A wanted man by the International Criminal Court (ICC) – to which South Africa is a signatory – al-Bashir was allowed to leave South Africa despite a court order by the North Gauteng High Court barring his departure.
The high court had ordered the South African government to ensure al-Bashir remained in the country until the international warrant for his arrest had been reviewed.
Al-Bashir, who is wanted by the ICC for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide during the Darfur conflict, was however allowed to leave before the high court ordered his arrest.
According to the ICC, as a member-state, South Africa was obliged to arrest al-Bashir, as should be the case with any wanted person.
The South African government has, however, argued that al-Bashir was in the country on an AU invite, which made the obligation null and void.
Furthermore, government has argued there exists complexities and contradictions which prevented them from arresting al-Bashir.
This is still to be presented by government in an appeal application against the North Gauteng High Court ruling.
Majola said Thursday’s meeting between Zuma and al-Bashir was to strengthen ties between the two African states.
To date, 16 bilateral agreements already exist between the two nations.
“South Africa seeks to further strengthen cooperation with Sudan in the fields of agriculture, agro-processing, science and technology, energy, infrastructure development, mining and retail,” said Majola.
The two leaders had recommitted themselves to “elevating the bilateral Joint Co-operation Commission (JCC) to a Ministerial level”.
Majola added that al-Bashir had extended an invitation to Zuma to visit Sudan, which he had accepted. The last time Zuma made a presidential working visit to Sudan was in February 2015.
The meeting between South Africa and Sudan took place during the the 70th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese Peoples’ War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War which was taking place in Beijing, China.