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Sudan's Bashir Attends Djibouti President's Inauguration

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir (file photo)
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Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh has been sworn in for a third term, in a ceremony attended by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted for war crimes.

The International Criminal Court indicted Bashir in 2009 for alleged war crimes in Sudan's Darfur region. An ICC arrest warrant calls for any member country he visits to arrest him.

Bashir's visit to Djibouti's capital marks the third time he has visited an ICC member country without the threat of detention.

The Sudanese president has also attended events in ICC member states Kenya and Chad without being arrested. Each visit has been criticized by human rights groups.

Other dignitaries who attended Guelleh's swearing-in ceremony include Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

Guelleh won a third term during a presidential election last month in which he easily defeated his lone challenger.

Some people protested a change in Djibouti's constitution earlier this year that allowed Guelleh to seek another term.  He has led the small east African nation since 1999.


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