Malawi Cancels AU Summit Over Bashir Controversy

Malawian Vice President Khumbo Kachali said Friday the African Union will relocate an upcoming heads of state summit following his country’s refusal to host war crimes suspect Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

Malawi’s leaders have said they would have to arrest Mr. Bashir on an International Criminal Court warrant if he came to the country. Speaking on state radio, Kachali said the country’s cabinet based their decision on “what is best in the interest of Malawians.” Malawi has previously asked the African Union not to invite Sudanese President Bashir, but the AU has said it is not up to the host country to make that decision. Kachali said the AU told him the summit will be moved to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.