GAMBIA TO LEAVE INTERNATIONAL COURT, RAISING FEARS OF MASS PULLOUT

DAKAR: Gambia has said it will leave the International Criminal Court as fears grow of a mass pull-out from the body that pursues some of the world’s worst atrocities. Gambia announced the decision on television Tuesday night, accusing the court of unfairly targeting Africa. The move comes after South Africa notified the United Nations secretary-general it would leave the court. Early last week, Burundi’s president signed legislation to leave the court as well. Gambia’s decision is also striking because the ICC’S chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, is Gambian. The withdrawal of the African countries has been criticized by human rights groups. The court was set up to pursue cases of alleged genocide and war crimes.