The International Criminal Court and Africa

Africa has been at the forefront of contemporary global efforts towards ensuring greater accountability for international crimes. But the continent's early embrace of international criminal justice seems to be taking a new turn with the recent resistance from some African states claiming that the emerging system of international criminal law represents a new form of imperialism masquerading as international rule of law.

This book analyses the relationship and tensions between the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Africa. It traces the origins of the confrontation between African governments, both acting individually and within the framework of the African Union, and the permanent Hague-based ICC. Leading commentators offer valuable insights on the core legal and political issues that have confused the relationship between the two sides and expose the uneasy interaction between international law and international politics. They offer suggestions on how best to continue the fight against impunity, using national, ICC, and regional justice mechanisms, while taking into principled account the views and interests of African States.

Charles Chernor Jalloh, Professor of Law, Florida International University, Miami, USA,Ilias Bantekas, Professor of International Law, Brunel Law School, UK

Charles Chernor Jalloh is Full Professor of International Law at Florida International University (FIU), Miami, USA and a member of the United Nations International Law Commission. He has practiced law in the Canadian Department of Justice, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), where he was duty counsel in the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor and, as a visiting professional, in the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Ilias Bantekas is Full Professor of international law at Brunel University School of Law and Director of the University of London LLB Program in Athens. He has held visiting appointments, among others, at Harvard, School of Oriental and African Studies (UoL), Miami and Cleveland-State, and has advised governments and international organisations, such as the UNDP, the European Union and the Council of Europe, as well as international law firms and non-governmental organisations.