Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09GABORONE175
2009-03-09 04:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Gaborone
Cable title:
BOTSWANA TO RESPECT ICC RULING, EXIT SUDAN
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C O N F I D E N T I A L GABORONE 000175
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/SPG, AF/RSA AND IO
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM MASS BC SU
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA TO RESPECT ICC RULING, EXIT SUDAN
Classified By: DCM Philip R. Drouin; Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L GABORONE 000175
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/SPG, AF/RSA AND IO
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM MASS BC SU
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA TO RESPECT ICC RULING, EXIT SUDAN
Classified By: DCM Philip R. Drouin; Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Foreign Minister Phandu Skelemani convoked resident
G-8 Missions France, Germany, Japan, the U.S. and UK, as well
as the EU on March 6 to brief on current GOB thinking on
Sudan and Zimbabwe (septel). Taking note of the
International Criminal Court indictment again Sudan President
Bashir, the outcry this decision has caused in some quarters
(notably Khartoum),and the emerging AU consensus to defer
action on this indictment, Botswana has decided on its own
course of action. Skelemani (an articulate and lawyerly
former Attorney General here) stressed that Botswana has a
longstanding tradition to respect the rule of law and
international legal obligations. As a signatory to and
member of the ICC, Botswana recognizes and accepts the
validity of the Bashir indictment. Skelemani added that in
accordance with its obligations to the ICC, the GOB would
feel compelled to comply with the indictment "and take him
in" should Bashir ever come into Botswana jurisdiction (not
that this is planned or foreseen at this time).
2. (C) In addition, Botswana has now decided to remove its
remaining personnel (a small number, about 10, of military
observers and policemen -- the MFA did not present specifics)
from Sudan. A Botswana Defence Force soldier, attached to an
African Union contingent in Darfur, was killed there last
year. Skelemani sees the situation as dangerous and
increasingly unstable in Sudan, and thus the GOB no longer
wishes to be a part of this engagement.
3. (C) Comment: The DCM noted that while the USG is not a
partyto the ICC, we have been actively involved in seekng
a peaceful resolution to the tragic and deeprooted conflicts
in Sudan, noting our key commitment and involvement to
implement the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between
north and south and also the 2006 Darfur Peace Agreeement.
The DCM sought clarification from Minister Skelemani, given
that atrocities will certainly continue in Darfur in the wake
of the ICC ruling and as NGOs and aid organizations are being
ejected or are pulling out, if Botswana's decision to leave
Sudan is simply something under consideration or a fait
accompli. Skelemani acknowledged that conflict in Sudan will
continue and that is a terrible thing, but the GOB's decision
is final about pulling out Botswana personnel (many whose
tours of duty are about to come to an end anyway). The GOB
feels its people are especially at risk, because, as
Skelemani added in closing, "In Africa, we have set ourselves
up as a target, because we talk too much," (against the
consensus) and with apparent reference to Botswana's rather
isolated position in SADC against Zimbabwe. End Comment.
NOLAN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/SPG, AF/RSA AND IO
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM MASS BC SU
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA TO RESPECT ICC RULING, EXIT SUDAN
Classified By: DCM Philip R. Drouin; Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Foreign Minister Phandu Skelemani convoked resident
G-8 Missions France, Germany, Japan, the U.S. and UK, as well
as the EU on March 6 to brief on current GOB thinking on
Sudan and Zimbabwe (septel). Taking note of the
International Criminal Court indictment again Sudan President
Bashir, the outcry this decision has caused in some quarters
(notably Khartoum),and the emerging AU consensus to defer
action on this indictment, Botswana has decided on its own
course of action. Skelemani (an articulate and lawyerly
former Attorney General here) stressed that Botswana has a
longstanding tradition to respect the rule of law and
international legal obligations. As a signatory to and
member of the ICC, Botswana recognizes and accepts the
validity of the Bashir indictment. Skelemani added that in
accordance with its obligations to the ICC, the GOB would
feel compelled to comply with the indictment "and take him
in" should Bashir ever come into Botswana jurisdiction (not
that this is planned or foreseen at this time).
2. (C) In addition, Botswana has now decided to remove its
remaining personnel (a small number, about 10, of military
observers and policemen -- the MFA did not present specifics)
from Sudan. A Botswana Defence Force soldier, attached to an
African Union contingent in Darfur, was killed there last
year. Skelemani sees the situation as dangerous and
increasingly unstable in Sudan, and thus the GOB no longer
wishes to be a part of this engagement.
3. (C) Comment: The DCM noted that while the USG is not a
partyto the ICC, we have been actively involved in seekng
a peaceful resolution to the tragic and deeprooted conflicts
in Sudan, noting our key commitment and involvement to
implement the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between
north and south and also the 2006 Darfur Peace Agreeement.
The DCM sought clarification from Minister Skelemani, given
that atrocities will certainly continue in Darfur in the wake
of the ICC ruling and as NGOs and aid organizations are being
ejected or are pulling out, if Botswana's decision to leave
Sudan is simply something under consideration or a fait
accompli. Skelemani acknowledged that conflict in Sudan will
continue and that is a terrible thing, but the GOB's decision
is final about pulling out Botswana personnel (many whose
tours of duty are about to come to an end anyway). The GOB
feels its people are especially at risk, because, as
Skelemani added in closing, "In Africa, we have set ourselves
up as a target, because we talk too much," (against the
consensus) and with apparent reference to Botswana's rather
isolated position in SADC against Zimbabwe. End Comment.
NOLAN