Jonathan to ICC: Let Uhuru Kenyatta be

President Goodluck Jonathan has pointedly told the International Criminal Court that it is biased against Africa.
In specific terms, Jonathan expressed displeasure that ICC has continued to ignore the request for deferral for prosecution in a number of cases by the African Union.
Addressing the extraordinary session of Heads of States and Governments of African Union convened to discuss Africa’s relationship with the ICC, President Jonathan particularly frowned at the way the world court is handling the issue concerning the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta.
He posited that the Kenyan leader deserves the support of the international community to deliver on his mandate to the people of Kenya.
President Jonathan, therefore, enjoined his colleagues in the African Union to show solidarity with President Kenyatta and the people of Kenya.
He said: “In this regard, it is important that we maintain our unity and speak with one voice on Kenya.”
The President noted that the Articles of Rome Statute are of grave concern to Africa, particularly Article 27, which denies immunity to all persons without regard to customary international law, conventions and established norms, stressing that it must be amended.
He added: “In expressing my support for Kenya on it’s difficulties with the ICC, I will like to acknowledge that five years after the post-election violence of 2007, the people of Kenya have proven to the world that they are capable of expressing their sovereign wishes in a free, fair and credible manner in accordance with democratic norms and values.
“This is a clear demonstration to the world that the people of Kenya are in the best position to determine their own future and deal with their last.
“To further consolidate this, I would like to urge the Kenyan Parliament to hasten it’s consideration of the Report of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission to facilitate the implementation of it’s recommendations in order to accelerate the process of national healing.
“What remains is for the international community, in particular, the ICC, to give the elected leaders of Kenya the space to discharge their mandate in meeting the aspirations and needs of their people.”