The International Criminal Court at The Hague. [PHOTO/Standard]
After a number of African countries threatened to leave the International Criminal Court, Burundi has become the first nation to actualise their departure threats.
The counrt was set up 15 years ago to prosecute those people behind the world’s worst atrocities.
“Burundi’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute will take effect on Friday, 27 October 2017,” said an ICC spokesperson.
The move comes one year after the country officially notified the UN of its intent to cut ties with the court.
The government on Friday hailed the “historic” achievement and called upon citizens to demonstrate across the country on Saturday in celebration.“The ICC has shown itself to be a political instrument and weapon used by the West to enslave other states," said presidential office spokesman Willy Nyamitwe.
“This is a great victory for Burundi because it has defended its sovereignty and national pride,” he said.
Kenya has on several occasions threatened to leave the court on claims that it was overly prosecuting African leaders only.
The debate to leave The Hague heightened when President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto faced charges of crimes against humanity.
The charges have since been dropped and the debate muted.