African Union and ICC Flashcards
What is the International Criminal Court (ICC)?
international tribunal established in 2002 to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression.
What is the African Union (AU)?
political and economic union of 55 African countries, aimed at promoting unity, peace, and development.
What has the AU accused the ICC of?
Bias against African leaders, selective justice, and undermining national sovereignty.
What % of ICC cases have involved Africans?
As of 2023, 100%
Which notable African leaders were charged by the ICC?
Omar al-Bashur for genocide in Darfur; Kenyatta for post-election violence and crimes against humanity
What AU response followed al-Bashir’s indictment (2009)?
condemned the arrest warrant and urged members not to cooperate, citing peace process disruption.
What action did the AU take in 2017?
called for a collective withdrawal of its member states from the ICC
Which country formally withdrew from the ICC?
Burundi in 2017
What legal obligation do ICC members have?
Rome Statute, they must cooperate with ICC investigations and arrests, including of sitting heads of state.
What’s the AU’s alternative to the ICC?
African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) and proposals to expand the African Court of Justice to try international crimes.
Realism
AU opposition reflects efforts to protect national leaders from external interference.
Liberalism
Critiques AU hostility as undermining international law and institutions, suggesting accountability promotes global peace and justice.
Constructivism
Focuses on how the ICC’s legitimacy is shaped by perceptions—AU members construct the ICC as neo-colonial or Western-biased.
Postcolonial Theory
ICC reinforces colonial power dynamics—Africa is over-policed internationally, while Western crimes go unpunished.
How many Western leaders indicted?
0
Since these threats, which notable people have had arrest warrants issued against them?
Netanyahu and Putin
