South African President walks backs comments about country’s decision to abandon ICC
Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa (Photo:REUTERS/Esa Alexander)
The Presidential Office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied that the stateplans to withdraw from the Rome Treat, contrary to earlier remarks South Africa’s head of state made,”, the President’s press service reported on April 25.
"Based on public discussion and pronouncements on South Africa’s participation in the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Presidency wishes to clarify that South Africa remains a signatory to the Rome Statute and will continue to campaign for equal and consistent application of international law," the office said.
“This clarification follows an error in a comment made during a media briefing held by the governing African National Congress (ANC) on South Africa’s status with regard to the ICC.”
The African National Congress first came to power in South Africa under the leadership of Nobel Peace Prize winner and South Africa’s first president, Nelson Mandela.
The South African authorities assured that they will comply with the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
Earlier, President Ramaphosa said that his ruling party wants to withdraw the country from the ICC, which issued an arrest warrant for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
South Africa will host the leaders of Brazil, China, India, and Russia at the BRICS Summit from August 22-24.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on March 17 for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Russia’s children’s ombudsperson, Maria Lvova-Belova, for their involvement in the unlawful removal of children from Ukraine to the Russian Federation since Feb. 24, 2022.
The Kremlin dictator can be arrested on the territory of 123 countries that have ratified the Rome Statute, said Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Andriy Kostin.
As a signatory to the Rome Statute, South Africa would be obliged to arrest Putin, should he choose to attend the BRICS Summit.
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