African Union Seeks Suspension of Bashir Warrant

The African Union will request the United Nations Security Council to suspend the proceedings against President Bashir, according to Nigeria's minister of foreign affairs. According to Associated Press (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080721/ap_on_re_af/au_sudan), Ojo Maduekwe told journalists at the end of an emergency meeting of the African Union's Peace and Security Council: 'Our concern is the timing and how this could impact on the peace process in Sudan,.' He said that if al-Bashir were removed from power and arrested, 'the whole place could turn into one huge graveyard. That could happen.'
According to article 16 of the Rome Statute, the Security Council may suspend proceedings before the International Criminal Court. It must adopt a resolution to this effect which remains in force for twelve months, although it can be renewed. In 2002 and 2003, the Council adopted resolutions pursuant to article 16, but at the behest of the Americans, and in the context of a more general attack on the Court.
Thanks to Megan Fairlie.