Kabuga: ICTR threatens tough action on Kenya

By David Ochami

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has threatened to call for international sanctions on Kenya for its "failure to hand for trial Felicien Kabuga".

ICTR Chief Prosecutor Hassan Boubacar Jallow has threatened to call on the UN Security Council to sanction Kenya over its alleged hiding of Rwandan genocide fugitive. The suspect is believed to be hiding in Kenya.

Jallow’s threat in a speech to the UN Security Council on Thursday followed a censure by Dennis Byron, the court’s president, accusing Kenya of non-compliance with international legal obligations to arrest and surrender international fugitives.

When they spoke to the UN Security Council on Thursday Byron and Jallow said the non-surrender of Kabuga and ten other fugitives threaten the court’s completion strategy.

Whereas Byron asked Kenya to arrest Kabuga, Jallow was blunt threatening to converse for tough action on the Government.

Jallow’s speech posted on the ICTR website, accuses Kenya of refusing to co-operate with the Arusha based tribunal "for the last twelve months" and demands, "(this) situation should not continue," he said.

"I regret to report there has been no progress in the matter for the past year.

Jallow said international patience over Kabuga is not limitless:

"If this situation continues, my office will consider the option of initiating the process for a formal referral of Kenya to the Security Council for non-cooperation with the ICTR."