https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250301/the-iccs-double-standards-justice-or-geopolitical-tool-1070879402.html
The ICC’s Double Standards: Justice or Geopolitical Tool?
The ICC’s Double Standards: Justice or Geopolitical Tool?
Sputnik Africa
On Monday, DAWN, a US rights group, released a 172-page document submitted to the ICC on January 19. The document accuses Biden, former Secretary of State... 01.03.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-03-01T15:14+0100
2025-03-01T15:14+0100
2025-03-03T13:59+0100
opinion
africa insight
joe biden
antony blinken
lloyd austin
united states (us)
africa
gaza
international criminal court (icc)
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established to ensure justice for crimes against humanity, yet its track record raises concerns about selective prosecution, Prof. Mbasa Mvenene, a political analyst and senior lecturer at Walter Sisulu University, told Sputnik Africa.He pointed out high-profile cases like Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir and Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta, emphasizing that true justice demands impartiality.A major factor in this imbalance is the refusal of powerful nations, like the United States, to submit to ICC jurisdiction.This has reinforced perceptions of neocolonial control over international justice mechanisms, where African and Global South leaders face scrutiny while Western leaders evade accountability.Recent allegations of US complicity in war crimes in Gaza have once again tested the ICC’s willingness to challenge powerful nations.This selective application of justice has prompted discussions on whether African and Arab nations should reconsider their participation in the ICC.However, the professor warned that while African nations might choose to withdraw, it's important to consider the impact on populations in the Global South, particularly in unstable countries like the DRC and South Sudan, and how such decisions could adversely affect the people living there.Commenting on DAWN's case, Mvenene described it as a step toward holding those in power accountable.Ultimately, the ICC’s credibility hinges on its commitment to impartial justice.
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africa insight, joe biden, antony blinken, lloyd austin, united states (us), africa, gaza, international criminal court (icc), african union (au), justice, conflict, prosecution, global south, middle east, israeli-palestinian conflict, north america
africa insight, joe biden, antony blinken, lloyd austin, united states (us), africa, gaza, international criminal court (icc), african union (au), justice, conflict, prosecution, global south, middle east, israeli-palestinian conflict, north america
The ICC’s Double Standards: Justice or Geopolitical Tool?
15:14 01.03.2025 (Updated: 13:59 03.03.2025) Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
On Monday, DAWN, a US rights group, released a 172-page document submitted to the ICC on January 19. The document accuses Biden, former Secretary of State Blinken, and former Secretary of Defense Austin of "aiding and abetting, as well as intentionally contributing to, Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza."
The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established to ensure justice for crimes against humanity, yet its track record raises concerns about selective prosecution, Prof. Mbasa Mvenene, a political analyst and senior lecturer at Walter Sisulu University, told Sputnik Africa.
“The ICC has a strong focus on prosecuting African leaders, while at times overlooking the complicity of Western officials,” Mvenene stated.
He pointed out high-profile cases like Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir and Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta, emphasizing that true justice demands impartiality.
“What is of utmost importance with the law... is the equal application across the board,” he said.
A major factor in this imbalance is the refusal of powerful nations, like the
United States, to submit to ICC jurisdiction.
“The Rome Statute was meant to provide universal jurisdiction for the prosecution of international crimes, yet the US and other global powers have managed to maintain immunity,” he explained.
This has reinforced perceptions of neocolonial control over international justice mechanisms, where African and Global South leaders face scrutiny while Western leaders evade accountability.
Recent allegations of US complicity in war crimes in
Gaza have once again tested the ICC’s willingness to challenge powerful nations.
“The failure to act against high-ranking US officials such as Biden and Blinken... suggests that the court is reluctant to take on powerful states without reinforcing suspicions of a double standard in the application of international law,” Mvenene underscored.
This selective application of justice has prompted discussions on whether African and Arab nations should reconsider their participation in the ICC.
“In 2017, the AU considered a mass withdrawal from the ICC due to the perception that the court was unfairly focused on Africa,” he recalled.
However, the professor warned that while African nations might choose to withdraw, it's important to consider the impact on populations in the
Global South, particularly in unstable countries like the DRC and South Sudan, and how such decisions could adversely affect the people living there.
Commenting on DAWN's case, Mvenene described it as a step toward holding those in power accountable.
“I think the action taken by DAWN is […] a step to ensure that those who have power and money in the form of military equipment, in the form of all kinds of aid, are able to be held accountable in terms of how responsible they are with that aid, with that money, or with that military equipment,” he said.
Ultimately, the ICC’s credibility hinges on its commitment to impartial
justice.“If powerful states... can openly and publicly avoid being held accountable... that would present a scenario where weaker nations and their leaders are bound to face the consequences of their actions,” Mvenene concluded.
