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Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan urges Africa not to exit ICC
Former UN secretary-general., Kofi Annan. PHOTO/AFP/Getty Images
Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan said Monday it would be a “badge of shame” for Africa if its leaders voted to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Speaking in Cape Town, Annan said “quite a few leaders are resisting and fighting” the ICC but cautioned on a vote against the tribunal without an alternative.
“If they fight the ICC, vote against the ICC, withdraw their cases, it will be a badge of shame for each and every one of them and for their countries if they do that,” he said.
Annan denied claims by African leaders that The Hague-based tribunal was targeting the continent and accused them of protectionism.
“Let me stress that it is the culture of impunity and individuals who are on trial at the International Criminal Court, not Africa,” said Annan, delivering the annual Desmond Tutu Peace Lecture on the South African icon’s 82nd birthday.
Amid growing opposition to the ICC, the African Union is set to debate the continent’s relationship with the world’s first permanent court to try genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity at a special summit on Friday and Saturday.
The ICC was a place of last resort that would not be needed if local courts were competent to try the cases, said Annan.
