Sudan calls for ICC withdrawal

KHARTOUM, Sudan, May 23 (UPI) -- Sudan called on all African nations to withdraw from the International Criminal Court because of charges against President Omar al-Bashir.

Bashir was charged in 2009 with 10 counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide connected to the Darfur conflict.

The Sudan Tribune reported Tuesday Sudanese Justice Minister Mohamed Bushara Dousa said the ICC is guilty of applying a

"double standards policy," which "should push the African countries to withdraw from the Hague-based court and activate the African Court of Justice and Human and People's Rights."

African nations have become more vocal in their criticisms of the ICC since the indictment of Bashir, the first sitting head of state to be charged, the Sudan Tribune said.

Previous attempts by African countries -- Sudan, Eritrea and Libya -- to get other African nations to withdraw have failed.