On Friday, 9 July, 2010, Judge Sang-Hyun Song, President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), ended a two day visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the headquarters of the African Union. He met with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr Jean Ping, who reiterated the African Union’s commitment to end impunity, as well as with Heads of European Missions and of the African States Parties to the Rome Statute.
During the meeting Dr Ping and President Song agreed that the African Union and the ICC share the common value of ending impunity and bringing about lasting peace. They also agreed to work to facilitate the establishment of the Liaison Office that would encourage dialogue and exchange of information and would thus be for the mutual benefit of the two institutions.
President Song also conducted a meeting with Ambassadors of the African States Parties to the Rome Statute and another with European Heads of Missions. In both meetings he updated participants on judicial developments at the ICC, briefed them on the outcome of the Kampala Review Conference and discussed developments regarding the establishment of the ICC Liaison Office in Addis Ababa. Views on issues of mutual concern to the ICC and States representatives in Addis Ababa were exchanged during both meetings.
The International Criminal Court is the only permanent international court established with the mission to help put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, namely the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, and thus to contribute to the prevention of such crimes. African countries have made an immense contribution to the establishment of an independent, impartial and effective ICC. Thirty (30) of the African Union members are currently parties to the Rome Statute.
Source: International Criminal Court (ICC)
