Gambian lawyer, Fatou Bensouda, has emerged as the consensus canditate for the International Criminal Court's next Chief Prosecutor.
Bensouda, who has been the Deputy Prosecutor of the ICC since 2004 and a former minister of justice in Gambia, also served at the UN tribunal on Rwanda's 1994 genocide.
In a statement, Bensouda said,
"I am deeply grateful for the nomination and remain committed to the goals of the court to end impunity for those responsible for the gravest offences, bring justice to their victims and prevent future crimes."
“Those who are trying to bring unspeakable atrocities, suffering to civilians anywhere in the world will be held accountable.”
Bensouda received worldwide support from ICC member countries who, given the extensive ICC work focussed on Africa were keen for an African to hold the title. She is certain to be formally elected by ICC member countries on 12th December.
Human Rights Watch's, senior international justice counsel, Param Preet Singh, said,
"The challenge of being chief prosecutor will test her mettle,"
"What's most important is the strength of the new prosecutor. That she's an African is also important because it helps to universalize the work of the ICC."
Her appointment would make her the ICC's second chief prosecutor, succeeding Argentinian, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, whose nine-year term expires in mid-2012.
