Threat to non-cooperation with the ICC and Vague Future of Criminal Justice in the Africa

In July 2002, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court came into force and International Criminal Court was established. It was indeed a significant moment in international criminal justice. ICC is a permanent institution and shall have the power to exercise its jurisdiction over persons for the most serious crimes of international concern,” which include “genocide; crimes against humanity; war crimes; and the crime of aggression. The African region played a great and active role in the founding of the Court. However, the fact that all accused persons presently before the Court are Africans has raised speculation that the ICC is targeting only Africans. This perception was further exacerbated with the indictment of President Omar Al Bashir of Sudan. Consequently, the African Union has resolved to cease cooperation with the Court with regard to the arrest of Al Bashir. Therefore African countries have come to be critical of the ICC and relations between Africa and the court are currently severely strained. In fact, the African Union has asked its members to implement a policy of non-compliance and non-cooperation with the ICC. For the court to remain a credible institution for the execution of international justice, the recent challenges may be a great danger and should be taken seriously.