ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia has renewed its allegations against the International Criminal Court (ICC) for only targeting African leaders, whilst ignoring cases in other parts of the world. Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Dina Mufti said on Tuesday, that the ICC’s charges against African leaders are politically motivated rather than being legal motivated. "Ethiopia would work for Africa to be arbitrated by its own legal institutions", he said According to the official, the ICC prosecutor’s policy against Africa runs contrary to the African Union’s goals that African problems should be solved by Africans. Although 34 African countries are signatories of the ICC’s Rome Statute, many of the countries are suspicious about the way the ICC handles cases in the continent. African leaders have been accusing it of inappropriately prosecuting only African leaders. Many have labeled the ICC as an anti-Africa institution, with serious double standards. The 54-member continental bloc, the African Union (AU) has branded the ICC "racist" for targeting mainly Africans. AU Chairman, Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn accused it of being biased and set to hunt down Africans. Kenyan newly-elected President, Uhuru Kenyatta is the second sitting leader to be charged by the international court, after Sudan’s President Omar Al Bashir. In September, Kenya became the first country to withdraw from the Rome Statute, reflecting upon Africa’s growing discontent on the ICC. Worldwide, 122 countries are signatories of the ICC. Ethiopia has not ratified the treaty.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 05:55:33 +0000
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