The Hague — "Don’t go." That was the heartfelt appeal to African nations as the International Criminal Court opened its annual meeting on Wednesday under the cloud of a wave of unprecedented defections. Gambia on Monday formally notified the UN that it was withdrawing from the court, following in the wake of SA and Burundi. "Don’t go," pleaded Senegalese politician Sidiki Kaba, the president of the ICC’s Assembly of State Parties meeting in The Hague. "In a world criss-crossed by violent extremism ... it is urgent and necessary to defend the ideal of justice for all," he said. The tribunal opened in 2002 in The Hague as a court of last resort to try the world’s worst crimes. But in his impassioned plea, Kaba admitted it was going through a "difficult moment". He acknowledged some had seen "injustice" in the investigations brought before the court so far, but he offered reassurances, saying: "You have been heard." The court had to redouble its efforts to convince countries to return,...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.