Ghana’s President John Mahama says the International Criminal Court serves a purpose and it has relevance.
Speaking on ‘Conflict Zone’ on Germany-based DW TV said although Africa has signed onto the Rome statute, it feels that the ICC is unfairly targeting African leaders.
Mahama defends voting for the impunity of African leaders, saying: ‘There is a disagreement there between the African Union and the ICC. These are two recognized international organizations. You cannot take the ICC’s opinion over the African Union.’
However, he still finds the ICC important.
“I believe that if people are guilty of crimes against humanity, they must be prosecuted.
“The ICC is useful and several African leaders have appeared before them and I think that the ICC is still relevant and still prosecuting cases of human rights abuses. …The ICC serves a purpose and I guess that we must take the concerns of Africa on board, Africa feels targeted whether rightly or wrongly; it’s like African leaders are the only people arraigned before it and I think the African union, ICC and the UN must discuss it”.
