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| Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie speaks at the Conference |
Khartoum, Sudan: April 27, 2013
A senior official of the ruling Sudanese National Congress Party (NCP) has urged Africa countries to view President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent presidential victory was a vote against the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Speaking at a media briefing at the start of a two day Conference of African Political Parties that began in Khartoum today, Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie, the Deputy leader of the ruling NCP said Kenyatta’s victory demonstrated a “rejection of the ICC as a colonial mechanism against Africans”.
“Many African people are delighted over the Election of President Uhuru Kenyatta and view this as proof that ICC is a tool of the Western to intimidate Africans. It is time African Countries confronted the ICC” he told journalists.
Dr. Nafie said the conduct of the Western World and their changing position which had seen them embrace the new Kenyan leadership after initially being hostile to the new president and his deputy showed they lacked “any serious principles” except to take care of “their interests”.
Khartoum is playing host to the first meeting of the Council of African Political parties with participants drawn from two of the major parties from at least 25 African countries including Kenya.
President Kenyatta’s party, The National Alliance (TNA), which is part of the ruling Jubilee Coalition, is represented at the conference by two delegates, Charles Waithaka, the Deputy Secretary General and Mohamed Abdullahi, the Secretary of Economic Affairs, Public Policy and Devolution.
A senior official of the ruling Sudanese National Congress Party (NCP) has urged Africa countries to view President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent presidential victory was a vote against the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Speaking at a media briefing at the start of a two day Conference of African Political Parties that began in Khartoum today, Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie, the Deputy leader of the ruling NCP said Kenyatta’s victory demonstrated a “rejection of the ICC as a colonial mechanism against Africans”.
“Many African people are delighted over the Election of President Uhuru Kenyatta and view this as proof that ICC is a tool of the Western to intimidate Africans. It is time African Countries confronted the ICC” he told journalists.
Dr. Nafie said the conduct of the Western World and their changing position which had seen them embrace the new Kenyan leadership after initially being hostile to the new president and his deputy showed they lacked “any serious principles” except to take care of “their interests”.
Khartoum is playing host to the first meeting of the Council of African Political parties with participants drawn from two of the major parties from at least 25 African countries including Kenya.
President Kenyatta’s party, The National Alliance (TNA), which is part of the ruling Jubilee Coalition, is represented at the conference by two delegates, Charles Waithaka, the Deputy Secretary General and Mohamed Abdullahi, the Secretary of Economic Affairs, Public Policy and Devolution.
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| A Kenyan envoy Maurice Nakitare (l) and TNA delegates |
The conference was officially opened by President Omar El Bashir, against whom the ICC has issued an arrest warrant . In his speech, President El Bashir , who did not make any reference to the ICC, urged Africans to be wary of countries motivated by greed for African natural resources.
He said it was important for African countries to carefully select their partners adding that political parties in Africa must rise above leadership squabbles and develop their capacity to lead the continent’s socio-economic renaissance through accelerated mobilization of the people, development of more trade and effective representation at global forums.
The Sudanese President, who lauded the move to form the Council of African Political Parties, said the move was significant as it coincided with the marking of 50 years since the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and ten years since its transformation to African Union (AU).
Significantly, a high powered delegation from the Chinese Communist Party is in attendance, pointing to the growing interest and influence of China in African affairs. A senior official of the Communist Party sat next to President El Bashir and addressed the Conference, promising China’s support to the parties in their work towards “peace and development”.
Delegations from the AU, Council of Political Parties from Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Turkey, Mexico and a large number of African and foreign diplomats are also attending the conference.
He said it was important for African countries to carefully select their partners adding that political parties in Africa must rise above leadership squabbles and develop their capacity to lead the continent’s socio-economic renaissance through accelerated mobilization of the people, development of more trade and effective representation at global forums.
The Sudanese President, who lauded the move to form the Council of African Political Parties, said the move was significant as it coincided with the marking of 50 years since the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and ten years since its transformation to African Union (AU).
Significantly, a high powered delegation from the Chinese Communist Party is in attendance, pointing to the growing interest and influence of China in African affairs. A senior official of the Communist Party sat next to President El Bashir and addressed the Conference, promising China’s support to the parties in their work towards “peace and development”.
Delegations from the AU, Council of Political Parties from Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Turkey, Mexico and a large number of African and foreign diplomats are also attending the conference.
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| A section of the delegates listen to the proceedings |
Dr. Nafie, who is a key member of the Conference organizing committee, said the Council of African Political Parties will be strengthened to support the efforts of the AU in promoting continental integration, peace and economic development adding that the idea of council had been spear headed by Ethiopia, Egypt, Nigeria with Sudan giving it a momentum.
He said the Council of African Political Parties will later this year hold a tripartite meeting in China with its counterparts from Asia and Latin America to learn from their successful experiences.
Ends…
