South Africa begins process to exit International Criminal Court
South Africa has announced its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court - meaning that the country will no longer be bound to that body.
In a notice to the United Nations (UN) on Thursday, government said it’s obligations with respect to the peaceful resolution of conflicts on the continent, are incompatible with the interpretations given by the ICC.
It further added that its decision was a result of the court’s perceived biases against African nations.
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Michael Masutha, says a bill to repeal the implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Act, will soon be tabled in Parliament.
Masutha told reporters in Pretoria a short while ago that the Speaker of the National Assembly, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces - have already been informed of the decision.
It follows a dispute last year when Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was allowed to visit the country for an African Union (AU) summit - despite facing an arrest warrant from the ICC.
Al-Bashir is wanted for alleged war crimes.
Masutha says international obligations must be in line with domestic laws