AFRICA GROUP FOR JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

ARUSHA, TANZANIA
21 October 2016

Africa Group for Justice and Accountability: Statement on South Africas withdrawal
from the International Criminal Court
The Africa Group for Justice and Accountability (AGJA) notes with deep concern the South African governments
declaration that it has given notice to the United Nations of its withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court (ICC). The AGJA adds its serious concern at the governments announcement that it will seek the
repeal of the Implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Act.
South Africa is an indispensable ally of international justice and the ICC. It played a leading role in the creation of
the Court and has been a key supporter of the institution since the ICC became a functioning reality in 2002. The
South African governments tradition of supporting human rights and as a leading voice on accountability would be
undermined by a withdrawal from the ICC.
The Africa Group also urges that any space for reconsideration of withdrawal can and should be explored. It
further calls on the Parliament to reject any repeal of the Implementation of the Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court Act. The Africa Group supports the work of all domestic legal groups in guaranteeing that any
process of withdrawal is democratic, legitimate, and reflects the will and interest of the South African people.
The AGJA further implores African states, and civil society groups in the country to engage and work with South
Africa, encouraging the government to retain its membership in the ICC and maintain its position as a leader in the
global fight for justice and accountability.
The AGJA stresses that the concerns of all ICC member-states can be heard and considered at the Assembly of
States Parties as well as other appropriate legal and diplomatic channels. In line with its mandate and its Kilimanjaro
Principles, the Africa Group offers its expertise as well as its mediation and facilitation capacities to South Africa, the
ICC, and all other relevant actors.

The members of the Africa Group for Justice and Accountability:

Dapo Akande (Nigeria)
Professor of Public International Law, University of Oxford
Femi Falana (Nigeria)
Human rights activist and lawyer
Hassan Bubacar Jallow (Gambia)
Former Prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and International
Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
Richard Goldstone (South Africa)
Former Chief Prosecutor of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for
Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia
Tiyanjana Maluwa (Malawi)
H. Laddie Montague Chair in Law, Pennsylvania State University School of Law
Athaliah Molokomme (Botswana)
Attorney General of Botswana
Betty Kaari Murungi (Kenya)
Independent Consultant on Human Rights and Transitional Justice
Mohamed Chande Othman (Tanzania)
Chief Justice of Tanzania
Navi Pillay (South Africa)
Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Catherine Samba-Panza (Central African Republic)
Former Transitional President of the Central African Republic
Fatiha Serour (Algeria)
Director of Serour Associates for Inclusion and Equity
Abdul Tejan-Cole (Sierra Leone)
Executive Director of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa

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