THE South African government says it will study the ruling by the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) relating to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s travel to South Africa in 2015.

The ICC ruled that South Africa had a duty to arrest President Bashir in June 2015 when he was attending the 25th African Union Summit in Johannesburg and surrender him to the ICC.

South Africa rejected the ICC request to arrest President Bashir.

The Sudanese President is wanted by the ICC for alleged anti-humanity crimes committed by his forces between 2003 and 2008 in the Sudanese province of Darfur.

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The chamber considered, bearing in mind its discretional power, that a referral of South Africa’s non-compliance to the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) and/or the UNSC was not warranted.

Reacting to the judgment, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said government notes in particular that the ICC has decided not to refer the matter to the Assembly of State Parties and the United Nations Security Council.

“Government will study the ruling and its implications and seek legal opinion on the available options. In the meantime, South Africa reiterates its total commitment to the principles of international justice,” the department said.

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