His Excellency President Jacob Zuma has today, 12 October 2013, concluded his visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he led the South African delegation to the extraordinary summit of the assembly of heads of state and government of the African Union (AU).
The summit took place under the theme: “Africa’s Relationship with the International Criminal Court (ICC)”. Having reiterated their commitment to fight impunity, promote human rights and democracy, as well as the rule of law and good governance on the continent, the heads of state and government took a number of decisions with regard to the relationship generally between African states and the ICC and, in particular, with regard to the situation involving the Republic of Kenya.
Amongst other things, the summit decided:
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To endorse the AU process of expanding the mandate of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights (AfCHPR) to try international crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes;
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That no charges shall be commenced or continued before any international court or tribunal against any serving head of state or Government or anybody acting in such capacity during his/her term of office. To safeguard the constitutional order, stability and integrity of member states, no serving AU head of state or government or anybody acting or entitled to act in such a capacity, shall be required to appear before any international court or tribunal during their term of office;
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That Kenya should send a letter to the UNSC requesting the deferral, in conformity with Article 16 of the Rome statute, of the proceedings against the President and Deputy President of Kenya. This letter would be endorsed by all African States parties.
- To set up a contact group of the executive council to undertake consultations with the members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), in particular, its five permanent members, with a view to engaging with the UNSC on all concerns of the AU on its relationship with the ICC, including the deferral of the Kenyan and Sudanese cases, in order to obtain their feedback;
The summit also appointed the new AU commissioner for peace and security, His Excellency Ambassador Smail Chergui .The appointment of Ambassador Smail Chergui follows the recent resignation of His Excellency Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, who has been appointed as Foreign Minister of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.
The assembly adopted a declaration on Africa’s solidarity with and support to Libya; a declaration of solidarity with the Republic of Kenya following the terrorist attack on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, and a declaration on the Lampedusa tragic boat incident.
President Zuma was accompanied by Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and Mr. Jeff Radebe, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development.
Enquiries:
Mac Maharaj
Cell 079 879 3203
E-mail: macmaharaj@icloud.com
