The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged its “continued backing and unflinching support” to the International Criminal Court (ICC) upon the election of Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji as President of the Court on 11 March 2018. This was conveyed in a letter of congratulations on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, signed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Hon. Abubakar Malami.
In his letter of response, President Eboe-Osuji thanked Nigeria for the assurances of its strong commitment, noting that such support is crucial in re-energising the mission of the Court. “The States Parties to the Rome Statute play a key role in putting forward and fostering understanding for the reasons why the ICC was created, as a unique tool in the international community’s efforts to advance peace and security, justice and the rule of law, and suppress impunity for the worst crimes”, he wrote.
Since the election of the Court’s new Presidency, expressions of strong support have also arrived from many other States, including letters from the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Palestine, as well as messages in various forms from Andorra, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Cameroon, Canada, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Slovak Republic, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and other countries. Furthermore, United Nations Secretary General, Mr. António Guterres, reaffirmed to President Eboe-Osuji the continued support of the organization for the Court to fulfil its mandate.
