South African Court Orders Omar El Bashir Not to Leave Town

A court in South Africa has issued an order preventing Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir, from leaving the country as calls are made for his arrest over alleged war crimes.

Bashir, who is in the country for a summit of African leaders, is wanted by the international criminal court (ICC) in The Hague for alleged atrocities including genocide committed during the Darfur conflict.

The high court in Pretoria issued an interim order preventing Bashir from leaving South Africa until an urgent application to force authorities to arrest him is heard.

A court statement said it was “compelling respondents to prevent President Omar al-Bashir from the leaving the country until an order is made in this court”.

The application, launched by the Southern African Litigation Centre, a legal rights group, is to be heard later on Sunday.