South Africa set to withdraw from ICC

South Africa has issued a notice of withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing the court’s incompatibility with the country’s peaceful resolution of conflicts.

According to South African Justice Minister, Michael Masutha, the government has written to the United Nations, expressing its intention to pull out of the International Criminal Court (ICC) because its obligations are inconsistent with laws giving sitting leaders diplomatic immunity.

The document, signed by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, and dated October 19, 2016 explains that the Republic of South Africa has found that its obligations with respect to the peaceful resolution of conflicts are at times incompatible with the interpretation given by the International Criminal Court of obligations contained in the Rome Statute.

Last year, Pretoria said it planned to leave the ICC after it was criticized for ignoring a court order to arrest Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir, who is accused of genocide and war crimes, when he visited South Africa.

South Africa’s Justice Minister, Michael Masutha, now says that to ensure South Africa’s continued ability to conduct active diplomatic relations, a bill to repeal South Africa’s adoption of the ICC’s Rome Statute would soon be brought to the South African Parliament.

Masutha told reporters in the capital Pretoria that implementation of the statute was “in conflict and inconsistent with” South Africa’s Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act.

The move should essentially take effect one year after this notice is formally received by UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon.