S Africa quits global war crimes court

UNITED NATIONS: South Africa has decided to withdraw from the International Criminal Court following a dispute last year over a visit by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir who is wanted by the tribunal for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

A copy of the ‘Instrument of Withdrawal,’ dated Wednesday and signed by foreign minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, was obtained on Thursday by The Associated Press.

It states that South Africa “has found that its obligations with respect to the peaceful resolution of conflicts at times are incompatible with the interpretation given by the International Criminal Court of obligations contained in the Rome Statute” which established the court.

South Africa as a party to the ICC has an obligation to arrest anyone sought by the tribunal. No country has ever withdrawn from the ICC, which was established to prosecute cases of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. AP