US Condemns Uganda For Hosting al-Bashir

The United States have publicly condemned Uganda for hosting Omar al-Bashir of Sudan at the inauguration of the Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni.

Museveni was re-inaugurated for his fifth term at a ceremony in Kampala on Thursday.

Many heads of state and other diplomats and officials attended the ceremony including diplomats from South Africa, South Sudan, Somalia and many other African countries.

US, European and Canadian diplomats also attended the ceremony.

However, according to spokesperson for the State Department, the US, European and Canadian diplomats all walked out of the ceremony in protest over al-Bashir’ presence.

al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes, genocide and other crimes against humanity.

Elizabeth Trudeau, of the US administration, said that the US has made its position very clear about how they feel towards Bashir:

“The United States has made its position with respect to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s travel very clear…We’re concerned that President Bashir has been able to travel to Uganda,” she said in a statement.

Museveni, on the other hand, seemed to have voiced his support for Bashir, as he called the ICC a “bunch of useless people” during his speech.

The US then released a statement about the protest and walk out:

“President Museveni made disparaging remarks about the ICC in front of attendees, including other heads of state…In response to President Bashir’s presence and President Museveni’s remarks, the United States delegation, along with representatives of the European Union countries and Canada, departed the inauguration ceremonies to demonstrate our objections,” the statement read.