Uhuru Kenyatta reaffirms Kenyas cooperation with ICC

Uhuru Kenyatta reaffirms Kenyas cooperation with ICC

President Uhuru Kenyatta has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Speaking during a meeting with the new Assembly of State Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the ICC President Sidiki Kaba at State House in Nairobi, President Kenyatta noted that by submitting themselves to court, he and Deputy President William Ruto showed their belief in the rule of law and international justice.

The President recalled that they decided to appear before ICC to answer to charges of crime against humanity following the 2007/08 post-election because of their commitment to justice.

“If Kenya believed in impunity, it would not have submitted to the courts as it did. We have equally all along cooperated with the Court because we are committed to justice at all levels,” the president said.

“African countries have expressed concern over whose agenda ICC is pushing but despite all that, we have never failed to cooperate with the court.”

President Kenyatta, however, appealed to the court not to focus on justifying its existence at the expense of its core mandate of delivering international justice and ensuring peace and reconciliation.

The Head of State pointed out that Kenya and other African countries played a key role in the creation of the court and the Rome Statute.

He emphasized that the country has fully complied with the requirements of the ICC, including the implementation of a progressive Constitution that has entrenched justice and ensured democracy and the rule of law.

Kaba, who also delivered a special message to President Kenyatta from Senegalese President Macky Sall, said Africa provides the most important team to the ASP and its concerns must be heard and addressed.

He assured President Kenyatta that Kenya’s and Africa’s issues will be accorded the attention they deserve during his tenure as the ASP president.

The meeting was also attended by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho.

Kaba, a former Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seal of the Republic of Senegal, was elected on December 8, 2014 by the 13th Session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the ICC as the president of the assembly for the next three years.

He is the first holder of the ASP office to visit Kenya.

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Uhuru kenyatta ICC Sidiki Kaba

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