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Africa and the International Criminal Court pp 61–77Cite as

The Implementation of the Rome Statute in Africa

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Part of the book series: International Criminal Justice Series ((ICJS,volume 1))

Abstract

This chapter illustrates specific strategies for the implementation of the Rome Statute in Africa. It analyses in an exemplary way the implementation methods by South Africa and Mauritius. In this context, the case of Southern Africa Litigation Centre and others v. National Director of Public Prosecutions and others that invoked claims of universal jurisdiction is dealt with in depth. In addition, the author depicts other forms of incorporation of international criminal law legislation in countries such as Kenya, Senegal and Uganda. Furthermore, this contribution elucidates the strategy according to the “Windhoek Plan of Action on the ICC Ratification and Implementation in SADC” from 2001, where it was agreed on giving priority to the drafting of implementing legislation of the Rome Statute in order to cooperate effectively with the International Criminal Court and give effect to the principle of complementarity.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Werle 2009, p. 118.

  2. 2.

    For a brief discussion see Kemp et al. 2012, pp. 575–578.

  3. 3.

    Werle 2009, p. 118 (as well as the authors cited).

  4. 4.

    Werle 2009, p 119.

  5. 5.

    At present nine states have ratified the amendments pertaining to the crime of aggression. Botswana is thus far the only African State to ratify the amendments.

  6. 6.

    Kemp 2012, p. 55.

  7. 7.

    Werle 2009, p. 119.

  8. 8.

    Ibid., pp. 119–121.

  9. 9.

    See, for instance, the failed attempt to prosecute Dr Wouter Basson for alleged war crimes committed during the apartheid era, State v. Basson 2005 (1) SA 171 (CC). See remarks by Chief Justice Chaskalson, paras 84 and 97.

  10. 10.

    Werle 2009, pp. 120–121.

  11. 11.

    Ibid., p. 121.

  12. 12.

    Notably war crimes, as incorporated via national legislation on the Geneva Conventions.

  13. 13.

    Dixon 2013, p. 98; Dugard 2011, pp. 42–43; Cassese 1986, pp. 17–22.

  14. 14.

    Dixon 2013, p. 98.

  15. 15.

    Ibid., pp. 98–99.

  16. 16.

    Ibid., p. 100.

  17. 17.

    For a regional perspective, see Maqungo 2000.

  18. 18.

    The Final Document was adopted at the “Conference on International Criminal Court (ICC) Ratification and Implementation for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region”, 28–30 May 2001, Windhoek, Namibia. The conference was hosted by the Government of Namibia and co-organised by the International Criminal Court Technical Assistance Program as well as the Parliamentarians for Global Action.

  19. 19.

    For the full statement, see The International Criminal Court Monitor, Issue 12 (August 1999) 3.

  20. 20.

    Windhoek Plan, para 4.

  21. 21.

    Civil society organisations like the Institute for Security Studies should be mentioned in this regard. During the past few years the Institute has done valuable work in terms of awareness, advocacy, and capacity building with respect to international criminal justice in Africa. Various workshops and conferences resulted in useful frameworks and texts aimed at the practical realisation of international criminal justice in Africa, including the implementation of the Rome Statute. See, for example, Du Plessis 2008.

  22. 22.

    Katz 2003, pp. 25–30.

  23. 23.

    Du Plessis 2007, p. 461.

  24. 24.

    Du Toit et al. 2013, App B57.

  25. 25.

    Kemp et al. 2012, p. 561.

  26. 26.

    Southern Africa Litigation Centre and Anther v. National Director of Public Prosecutions and Others, [2012] ZAGPPHC 61 (8 May 2012).

  27. 27.

    For a discussion of the case, see Werle and Bornkamm 2013, pp. 659–675; Kemp et al. 2012, pp. 561–564.

  28. 28.

    Kemp et al. 2012, p. 563.

  29. 29.

    National Commissioner of the South African Police and another v. Southern Africa Litigation Centre and others (485/2012) [2013] ZASCA 168 (27 November 2013). Hereafter referred to as SALC case (SCA).

  30. 30.

    The allegations contained in the victims’ affidavits describe “severe physical assaults being perpetrated, which included the use of truncheons, baseball bats, fan-belts and booted feet.” Furthermore, there are also allegations of victims being “suspended by a metal rod between two tables; of being subjected to water boarding; and of electrical shocks being applied to the genitals of some of them”. SALC case (SCA), para 11.

  31. 31.

    It is necessary to recall that the case before the High Court was an administrative review of the decision of the police not to investigate the allegations of torture (crimes against humanity).

  32. 32.

    SALC case (SCA), para 5.

  33. 33.

    Ibid., para 39.

  34. 34.

    Ibid., para 40.

  35. 35.

    Ibid., para 43.

  36. 36.

    Ibid., para 46.

  37. 37.

    Ibid., para 51.

  38. 38.

    Ibid., para 51.

  39. 39.

    Ibid., para 54.

  40. 40.

    Ibid., paras 55–56.

  41. 41.

    Ibid., para 66.

  42. 42.

    Ibid., para 68.

  43. 43.

    For a discussion, see Du Toit et al. 2013, App B43–B59.

  44. 44.

    Mauritius ratified the Rome Statute on 5 March 2002.

  45. 45.

    Compare also with the South African Implementation Act, 2002.

  46. 46.

    Du Plessis and Stone 2008.

  47. 47.

    The Uganda Gazette No 39, Vol CIII dated 25 June 2010.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Gerhard Kemp

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  1. Gerhard Kemp
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Humboldt-Universität Juristische Fakultät, Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Gerhard Werle

  2. Faculty of Law Department for Criminal Law, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa

    Lovell Fernandez

  3. Humboldt-Universität Juristische Fakultät, Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Moritz Vormbaum

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Kemp, G. (2014). The Implementation of the Rome Statute in Africa. In: Werle, G., Fernandez, L., Vormbaum, M. (eds) Africa and the International Criminal Court. International Criminal Justice Series, vol 1. T.M.C. Asser Press, The Hague. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6265-029-9_6

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