| AU wants ICC role defined | Send to a friend |
| Thursday, 02 February 2012 22:40 |
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The Citizen Reporter Dar es Salaam. African Union (AU) heads of state have tasked attorneys general and ministers for Justice to review roles and functions of the International Criminal Court (ICC), where in most cases African leaders have been the major targets. Briefing reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Bernard Membe said the team would hold its first meeting later this month.Tanzania would most probably be represented by Justice minister Celina Kombani and the AG, Judge Frederick Werema (rtd). Mr Membe said most of the heads of state who attended the meeting discussed the ICC, which has been endorsed by 36 out of 54 African countries. “The argument by most leaders was that ICC was formed to put to task Africans only. There were several arguments on the matter but let our ministers and attorneys general meet and digest the issues,” Mr Membe said. ICC, governed by the Rome Statute, is the first permanent, treaty-based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the global community. The ICC is an independent international organisation that is not part of the United Nations system. Although the Court’s expenses are funded primarily by State Parties, it also receives voluntary contributions from governments, international organisations, individuals, corporations and other entities.According to the ICC website, 14 cases in 7 situations have been brought before the court. Among the countries that the court has dealt with are Kenya, Central African Republic, Libya, Sudan, the DRC and Uganda. However, Mr Membe maintained that the discussion also gained momentum on Somalia insecurity, pirates and hunger. There will be a meeting in London between 22-24 to discuss and find lasting solutions to Somalia’s problems that span over two and a half decades. “Somalia is a failed state since 1986….most of its leaders are based in Nairobi, Kenya, but I hope that the London meeting which the African Union is set for the agenda will discuss thoroughly the issues and suggest the way forward,” Membe said. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
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