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VIDEO: Zuma Says Al-Bashir was not Visiting South Africa. Watch Live.

President Jacob Zuma said today that Omar al-Bashir could not be arrested in South Africa, during his recent trip to the country, because he was invited by the African Union and not the South African government. Al-Bashir was not visiting South Africa, said President Zuma. The South African President was responding to a question from DA […]

06-08-15 16:01

President Jacob Zuma said today that Omar al-Bashir could not be arrested in South Africa, during his recent trip to the country, because he was invited by the African Union and not the South African government.

Al-Bashir was not visiting South Africa, said President Zuma.

The South African President was responding to a question from DA Leader Mmusi Maimane who reminded him that in 2010 he had said in the House that Sudan President Al-Bashir would be arrested in South Africa. Maimane asked him “what has changed?”

Zuma said the South African government had no right to violate the AU rules.

Al-Bashir was in South Africa for the African Union Summit in June this year when the South African government was asked to arrest him. Al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes.

During the session today, “African solutions to African problems” has been a running theme for the President. He also answered questions on Gaddafi’s death (saying NATO abused the Security Council resolution and that “we didn’t vote for war and killing of people in Libya”), Burundi, Ebola and insisted that the country has not gone down since he’s been in power. President Zuma said South Africa is doing fine and developing and that there has been responsible governance.

A couple of classic comments from today included the EFF telling the Speaker “you are treating us like step-children in this House!” and the DA saying “The question asked for a yes or no answer. Not for a waffle with cream!”

WATCH VIDEO: National Assembly Questions to the President, 06 August 2015