African News Explained

In the wake of the African Union's decision on Saturday to seek a postponement in the trial of Kenya's president and vice-president before the International Criminal Court, all eyes are now turning to the UN Security Council, which has the authority to grant the request. The trial of vice-president William Ruto started last month and that of President Uhuru Kenyatta is due to open on 12 November. The two leaders are indicted for their alleged involvement in post-electoral violence in Kenya at the end of 2007. But African heads of state argue that cases involving serving political leaders should be deferred to leave them free to run their countries until the end of their term, citing security concerns after the recent deadly terrorist attack on a Nairobi shopping centre. RFI discussed the next steps in the process with Francis Dako, the Benin-based lawyer who coordinates the African activities of the Coalition for the ICC, a global group of NGOs supporting the court.