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The African Union has criticized the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s decision to consider genocide charges against Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir.

The 53-nation bloc said the ICC's decision will harm the peace process in Sudan.

It also said "justice" shouldn't be sought at the price of peace.

This is after the ICC ordered a review of Bashir's arrest warrant for alleged atrocities in Darfur.

Sudanese officials have denounced the ruling and described it as a politically-motivated move aimed at destabilizing the country.

The indictment against al-Bashir already includes seven counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed in Sudan's western Darfur region.

Sudan says the ICC move to charge al-Bashir is aimed at stopping democratic process in the African country.

This is the first time in history that an arrest warrant has been issued for a sitting president.