https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250307/a-toothless-bulldog-us-sanctions-on-icc-top-prosecutor-highlight-courts-power-imbalance-expert-1070968940.html
'A Toothless Bulldog?' US Sanctions on ICC Top Prosecutor Highlight Court's Power Imbalance: Expert
'A Toothless Bulldog?' US Sanctions on ICC Top Prosecutor Highlight Court's Power Imbalance: Expert
Sputnik Africa
In February, the US imposed sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan, following an executive order targeting the ICC for its probe... 07.03.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-03-07T14:33+0100
2025-03-07T14:33+0100
2025-03-07T14:33+0100
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imran khan
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The recent US sanctions against the ICC's top prosecutor have thrown the court's effectiveness into sharp relief, Dr. Dylan Mangani, a research fellow at Nelson Mandela and Venda Universities and the BRICS Research Institute in South Africa, said in an interview with Sputnik Africa. He argued that the sanctions highlight a fundamental power imbalance, undermining the ICC's ability to hold powerful nations accountable.Pointing to the US's non-participation in the ICC, which stems from a desire to avoid constraints on its "imperialistic and military adventurous tendencies," the expert argued that the sanctions against the prosecutor were influenced by a powerful pro-Israel lobby within the US foreign policy establishment.With a mere 11 convictions in 23 years, predominantly from African countries, Mangani expressed concerns about the ICC's perceived bias and lack of credibility. This perception of double standards, he argued, severely undermines the court's potential as a deterrent to future atrocities.Dr. Mangani also believes that the court's legitimacy is at risk unless it addresses its enforcement and efficiency issues. He stated that until the ICC demonstrates fairness and impartiality in its pursuit of justice, particularly concerning its perceived targeting of African leaders, it will lack support from the Global South, which views it as a tool of oppression.Offering his personal perspective, the expert expressed pessimism about the ICC's long-term prospects. He argued that the court, emerging from a US-dominated post-Cold War order, often pushes a specific agenda.
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imran khan, united states (us), gaza, international criminal court (icc), justice, africa insight, international, politics
'A Toothless Bulldog?' US Sanctions on ICC Top Prosecutor Highlight Court's Power Imbalance: Expert
Muhammad Nooh Osman
Writer/Editor
In February, the US imposed sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan, following an executive order targeting the ICC for its probe into Israeli war crimes in Gaza. Khan was designated a "Specially Designated National and Blocked Person," which prohibits him from doing business with US entities and from entering the US.
The recent US sanctions against the
ICC's top prosecutor have thrown the court's effectiveness into sharp relief,
Dr. Dylan Mangani, a research fellow at Nelson Mandela and Venda Universities and the BRICS Research Institute in South Africa, said in an interview with
Sputnik Africa. He argued that the sanctions highlight a fundamental power imbalance, undermining the ICC's ability to hold powerful nations accountable.
Pointing to the US's non-participation in the ICC, which stems from a desire to
avoid constraints on its "imperialistic and military adventurous tendencies," the expert argued that the sanctions against the prosecutor were influenced by a powerful pro-Israel lobby within the US foreign policy establishment.
"America [is] narrow-minded, interested in few individuals that therefore influence the US decisions to disrespect their own 'rule-based order,'" Dr. Mangani stated. "The fact that the ICC relies on member states, it gives a structural problem in terms of its realizing its objectives because it doesn't have the capacity, and it doesn't even enjoy the goodwill of the most powerful and influential states to carry out its mandate. So it becomes papered-over tricks and also like the proverbial toothless bulldog."
With a mere 11 convictions in 23 years, predominantly from African countries, Mangani expressed concerns about the ICC's
perceived bias and lack of credibility. This perception of double standards, he argued, severely undermines the court's potential as a deterrent to future atrocities.
"From the Global South," Mangani said, "there is a belief that the ICC has double standards, it’s not credible, and there is a lack of confidence in it."
Dr. Mangani also believes that the
court's legitimacy is at risk unless it addresses its enforcement and efficiency issues. He stated that until the ICC demonstrates fairness and impartiality in its pursuit of justice, particularly concerning its perceived targeting of African leaders, it will lack support from the Global South, which views it as a tool of oppression.
Offering his personal perspective, the expert expressed pessimism about the ICC's long-term prospects. He argued that the court, emerging from a US-dominated post-Cold War order, often pushes a specific agenda.
"Until and unless it democratizes itself," he concluded, "I would always remain part of the bandwagon of those that are pessimistic in terms of the roles of international organizations and institutions in trying to seek peace and justice and stability in the world."
