Mr Odinga said in a statement signed by his spokesman, Mr Salim Lone, that the reports were “false and misleading”.

The PM said he was an adherent of independent investigations into allegations of war crimes, but was not in a position to assess the work of the International Criminal Court.

Mr Odinga reiterated remarks he made two weeks ago to Sudanese presidential envoy, Bona Malwal, that derailing the peace efforts in Darfur would be regrettable.

“The PM’s position on the indictment is very clear and it was communicated to His Excellency, Bona Malwal, the presidential envoy, two weeks ago,” the statement said.

Mr Odinga said that the current effort by the international court could complicate the search for peace in that country.

Ending war

“Ending this war must be the principal priority of Sudan and the international community. Anything that could derail this vital goal would be regrettable,” said the statement.

The ICC chief prosecutor at the Netherlands-based court filed genocide and war crimes charges against President el-Bashir on July 14, accusing him of orchestrating a campaign of killing and rape in Darfur. The prosecutor said his state apparatus was directly responsible for the deaths of 35,000 people.

Mr al-Bashir last week said the genocide charges levelled against him were part of a global campaign to topple his government, divide the country and plunder its oil resources.

He said there were forces behind the ICC seeking to drive him from power before next year’s elections can take place.

The African Union has also warned that the planned prosecution was tantamount to pouring “oil on fire”.

Africa’s top diplomat, Jean Ping met President el-Bashir and other officials recently and urged the United Nations Security Council to suspend the ICC investigation while peace efforts continue.

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API/Source.nation.ke