Sudan wants aid despite ICC hangup

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KHARTOUM, Sudan, May 13 (UPI) -- Khartoum says it can't get access to vital European aid because it hasn't signed on to the International Criminal Court, a minister said.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is wanted by the international court for crimes against humanity. The U.N. Security Council in 2005 referred Sudan to the International Criminal Court for not investigating alleged crimes committed in the country's war-ravaged Darfur region.

The Cotonou agreement from 2000 reached with the European, African, Caribbean and Pacific countries outlines sustainable developmental aid. Amendments from 2005 included "steps toward ratifying and implementing the Rome Statute and related instruments."

Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Karti said his country can't get access to millions of dollars worth of much-needed aid because it hasn't ratified the Rome Statute that founded the ICC, the Sudan Tribune reports.

Sudan refused to sign the 2005 amendment by the 2009 deadline, leaving roughly $425 million in European aid on the sidelines.

Authorities in Khartoum called on European official to waive conditions in the Cotonou agreement so that it can the aid it needs, the report adds.