ICC ‘saddened’ by exit of S’Africa, Burundi, fears other African countries may leave

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has expressed regrets over the exits of Burundi and South Africa from the Rome Statute, which founded the court.

“The Republic of South Africa deposited its instrument of withdrawal from the Rome Statute (“Statute”), the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court (“ICC”), with the Secretary General of the United Nations,” ICC said in a statement.

“The decision comes in the wake of the withdrawal process recently initiated by Burundi.”

Sidiki Kaba, president of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, said: “Although withdrawing from a treaty is a sovereign act, I regret these decisions and invite South Africa and Burundi to reconsider their positions.

“I urge them to work together with other States in the fight against impunity, which often causes massive violations of human rights.

“The president of the assembly is concerned that this disturbing signal would open the way to other African States withdrawing from the Rome Statute, thus weakening the only permanent international criminal court in charge of prosecuting the most serious crimes that shock the conscience of humanity, namely genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression.”

Kaba urged the international community to “remain united to face the enormous challenge of preventing the commission of such crimes, prosecuting the alleged perpetrators, whoever they are and wherever they are, to ensure peace, stability and security of our States”.

“The ICC needs the strong support of the international community and the cooperation of States to ensure its effectiveness and strengthen its credibility,” he said,  calling on all states parties to remain active members and other states to ratify the Rome Statute in order to ensure the right to universal justice to all victims of mass crimes.