Sudan demands apology for Jordan statement on ICC report

The Sudanese foreign ministry on Monday called on the Jordanian ambassador in Khartoum, Ayed Jamil Dararjeh, to protest in the “strongest terms” against his country’s support for an International Criminal Court report submitted to the United Nations Security Council.

“We have notified the Jordanian ambassador of Khartoum’s condemnation of the speech made by Jordan’s permanent envoy at the United Nations,” said Yusuf al- Kordofani, spokesman for the Sudanese foreign ministry.

Kordofani emphasised that his country demands Jordan to offer an “overt and official” apology, particularly to the Sudanese people who strongly denounce the Jordanian position. “Sudan was surprised by Jordan’s statement not only because it came from a brotherly Arab country but also because it contradicted the position of the Arab and Islamic nations that categorically reject the ICC stances towards Sudan,” he added.

On 13 December, ICC Chief Prosecutor General Fatou Bensouda submitted a report to the United Nations Security Council regarding alleged crimes committed in the Western Darfur region.

Meanwhile, the Jordanian ambassador in Khartoum stressed his country’s keenness to develop ties of brotherhood and cooperation with Sudan, outlining that there is no change in Jordan’s policy towards Sudan.

The ambassador explained that the statement of Jordanian UN representative Mahmoud Daifallah, who voiced support for the report, was unscripted and was not approved by the Jordanian foreign ministry.