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Why is the International Criminal Court picking only on Africa?
The International Criminal Court is one of the institutional mechanisms created to sustain the international legal system. The point is also made that so far, the court has focused mainly on Africa because of the continent’s weak and peripheral position in the international system.
Does the ICC have an African problem?
While the ICC has been operational for a relatively short period of time, the issues it has faced in its relationship with Africa have brought the Court to an important crossroad. Despite attracting its largest regional membership from Africa, the ICC’s current role in Africa is fiercely contested.
How many ICC cases have been African?
African States joined the ICC in large numbers. Thirty-three members are from Africa. Thirteen additional African countries had signed the Rome treaty, although they are yet to take the final step.
Can the ICC prosecute anyone?
The Court’s founding treaty, called the Rome Statute, grants the ICC jurisdiction over four main crimes. Second, the ICC can prosecute crimes against humanity, which are serious violations committed as part of a large-scale attack against any civilian population.
Is the International Criminal Court targeting Africa?
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been accused of unfairly targeting African states. Before this, all the cases before the ICC were referred to it by member-states. Sudan called upon the 34 African states that had ratified the ICC’s treaty to withdraw from the Court in an act of solidarity.
Which African country hasn’t expressed displeasure about the conduct of the ICC?
Already other African countries including Rwanda, Uganda, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Gambia and the rest of African Union member states except Botswana have expressed displeasure about the conduct of the court in relation to its alleged selective application of international criminal law.
What is the relationship between Africa and the International Criminal Court?
While the ICC can be said to contribute to criminal justice in Africa, it cannot be denied that the relationship between the Court and the continent has been troublesome. The ICC has been accused of targeting Africa, and many African states do not seem willing to cooperate with the Court.
What is the relationship between Africa and the international criminal court?
How many judges of the ICC need to come from Africa?
The eighteen judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are elected for nine-year terms by the member-countries of the court….Judges of the International Criminal Court (sortable)
| Regional group | Number of judges |
|---|---|
| African states | 4 |
| Latin American and Caribbean states | 3 |
| Asian states | 3 |
| Eastern European states | 3 |
Can the International Criminal Court play fair in Africa?
It is therefore not the ICC’s intention to focus on Africa. However, the ICC process must be seen to fair and not selective or arbitrary. Most important, there must be reforms that totally insulate the court from any possibility of political manipulation.