Botswana’s President Ian Khama spoke out against African leaders who have refused to fully co-operate with the International Criminal Court, calling it a “betrayal of the innocent and helpless victims”.
In a keynote speech delivered at the ICC’s annual meeting, Khama objected directly to the African Union’s decision earlier this year, to oppose the arrest warrants issued for late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and other wanted heads of state.
He told the meeting,
"I specifically note with regret that at a recent summit held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in June, 2011, the African Union formally decided not to cooperate with the ICC over the indictments and arrest warrants against some leaders,"
"This decision is a serious setback in the battle against impunity in Africa and undermines efforts to confront war crimes and crimes against humanity which are committed by some leaders on the continent."
"Such a move also places Africa on the wrong side of history. It is a betrayal of the innocent and helpless victims of such crimes."
"We need to have the political will and the moral courage to hold accountable, without fear or favour, anyone in authority -- including a sitting head of state -- when he or she is suspected of having committed crimes against innocent people."
He spoke as the ICC announced that Fatou Bensouda, the current deputy prosecutor of the ICC and a former justice minister of Gambia, is set to become the new Chief Prosecutor from June 2012.
Her appointment was widely hailed and uncontested, as Luis Moreno-Ocampo of Argentina steps down after nine years. She becomes the first African to hold the post at the court. She stated,
"The African continent has again shown its support and its engagement in favor of international justice and the court," Bensouda said after her appointment.
"But let me stress: I will be the prosecutor of all the states parties in an independent and impartial manner."
See our earlier posts:
Next ICC Chief Prosecutor pledges universal accountability (Dec 2011)
Malawi 'needs to take its medicine' - UN (Nov 2011)
ICC demands Malawi explains failure to arrest Bashir (Oct 2011)
