Gambia’s February 10 decision to annul its earlier attempt to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is welcome news for the President of the Assembly of States Parties.
ASP President Sidiki Kaba said the decision of the newly-elected government of the Gambia not to withdraw from the Rome Statute, was important and signalled the renewed commitment of the new authorities of The Gambia to the ICC, and to the shared values of all States Parties, of prosecuting the most serious crimes that shock the conscience of humanity.
President Kaba, who is also the Senegalese minister for Justice, invited all States Parties to continue their support of the Rome Statute system and to encourage other States to ratify the treaty in order to achieve universality as soon as possible.
“I am convinced that the continued support of the international community and the cooperation of States remain necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the ICC,” the President stated.
On 10 November 2016 the Islamic Republic of the Gambia notified its decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the ICC to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as depositary of the Treaty. Following the election of a new President, on 10 February 2017, the Permanent Mission of the Gambia to the UN notified the annulment of its former decision with immediate effect.
