African Union asks UN Security Council to delay prosecution of Sudan’s president for genocide

Africans ask UN to delay al-Bashir prosecution

UNITED NATIONS — The African Union is asking the U.N. Security Council to delay the prosecution of Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir on genocide charges for a year.

The African Union’s U.N. observer said in a letter to the council circulated Friday that in seeking the delay the continent’s nations are “in no way condoning impunity.”

But AU envoy Tete Antonio said the organization believes it is equally important to ensure that the search for justice doesn’t impede efforts to bring lasting peace and reconciliation in Darfur.

Al-Bashir has been indicted by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.