War crimes judges will Friday hear why South Africa failed to arrest Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir during a 2015 visit, as they mull whether to report Pretoria to the United Nations for possible action. South Africa’s lawyers will defend the decision not to detain Bashir — wanted for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity … Read more
A South African court on Wednesday ruled the government’s plan to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) was “unconstitutional and invalid”, providing a boost to the embattled Hague-based institution. The ICC has been rocked by threats of withdrawal in recent months, with complaints focusing on its alleged bias against Africa. South Africa announced in … Read more
Africa has 34 signatories to the Rome Statute, the treaty that set up the court The African Union has called for the mass withdrawal of member states from the International Criminal Court (ICC). However, the resolution is non-binding, with Nigeria and Senegal opposing a withdrawal. South Africa and Burundi have already decided to withdraw, accusing … Read more
South Africa’s announcement Friday that it is leaving the ICC surprised many, raising questions about its legality and concerns for the future of a court that counted South African dissident-turned-president Nelson Mandela as a key advocate. The United Nations confirmed receipt Friday of South Africa’s withdrawal from the ICC, effective October 19, 2017. The withdrawal … Read more