UGANDA COMMITTED TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC)
1. The 13th Ordinary Session of the Ass~mbly of African Heads of State and Government convened in Sirte, Libyan Arab Jamahiriyah, from 1st to 3rd July 2009. H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sam Kutesa. The African Union Heads of State discussed a number of issues on their agenda, including a report relating to the ICC and its indictment of the President of Sudan.

2. There is concern that African States Parties to the Rome Statute, establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC), might be wavering in their support and commitment to the Statute. In this respect, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to make the following clarification:

a) According to the African Union Constitutive Act, African Union Member States committed themselves to combating impunity and promoting democracy, the rule of law and good governance. The Assembly of Heads of State and Government, in Sirte, reiterated this commitment; and Uganda Government remains committed to this ideal, which is also enshrined in our Constitution;

b) As a signatory to the Rome Statute, Uganda Government re-iterates its commitment to the Statute and support to the ICC. This position is shared by the other African States Parties to the Statute who clearly expressed it during the Assembly meeting in Sirte, Libya;

c) Regarding the ICC indictment of President AL-Bashir of Sudan, Uganda Government supports the African Union Assembly Decision (Assembly/AU/Dec.221 (XII) of February 2009 requesting the UN Security Council to defer the ICC indictment for twelve (12) months, in accordance with Article 16 of the Rome Statute. In doing so, Uganda is driven by the African Union consensus to balance accountability and reconciliation, while the law does not rot.

3. Uganda will host the ICC Review Conference of States. Parties in May 2010. Uganda believes that will be an opportunity to strengthen further the ICC Rome Statute.
Issued by:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs KAMPALA
10th July 2009.