Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan calls for local trial

By Alphonce Shiundu

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan made last-minute amendments to his official speech with a call to the international community that the cases facing Kenya at the International Criminal Court be tried in Kenya.

Jonathan, who is in the country on a three-day State visit, is the first visiting Head of State to address a joint-sitting of the Senate and the National Assembly after the March 4 General Election.

The Nigeria’s President made the address at Parliament buildings in Nairobi, where he was accompanied by Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto, who is one of those accused at the ICC for crimes against humanity committed in the aftermath of the chaotic 2007/2008 General Election.

“In 2007, we had elections in this beautiful country and certain things happened. Nobody was happy. No Kenyan was happy, even the world was not happy.

“In 2013, almost six years after, Kenyans conducted another election, we believe you were able to communicate to the rest of the world that Kenyans are in a position to solve their own problems.”

“I believe, that laws, whether local or international, treaties or conventions, or institutions set up to manage those laws, treaties and conventions are set up to solve problems, not to add to the problems,” Jonathan said.