New Gambian president will re-engage the West

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
International Criminal Court ◽  
International Criminal ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
Military Coup ◽  
The Political ◽  
Legislative Elections ◽  
The West ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Security Services ◽  
The Military

Significance If Barrow is inaugurated, it will mark the first peaceful transfer of power since the country gained independence. Incumbent Yahya Jammeh, who seized power in a 1994 military coup, was widely expected to claim victory, despite widespread frustration. With the economy stagnant and the unemployment rate among the highest in West Africa, Barrow successfully united much of the political opposition. Jammeh's concession was unexpected given the repression that his security services employed prior to the election. Impacts A new administration will look to draw prominent figures from across The Gambia's ethnic groups. Security will remain taut ahead of the upcoming inauguration and legislative elections scheduled for April. The new government could renew its commitment to the International Criminal Court (ICC). There could be widespread calls for the prosecution of Jammeh, which may provoke unrest within the military and new coup fears.

African presidents will weigh costs of leaving office

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
International Criminal Court ◽  
International Criminal ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
West African ◽  
Political Uncertainty ◽  
Political Leaders ◽  
The West ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Electoral Violence ◽  
Support For Democracy

Significance Jammeh has rescinded his initial concession and is challenging the outcome. Across the continent, decisions of presidents to stand down from office are critical for avoiding electoral violence and pushing forward the process of democratic consolidation. When presidents stand down, it builds trust between rival parties and increases popular support for democracy. Presidents willing to transfer power peacefully also minimise the risk of political uncertainty and conflict. Impacts West African states may agree to provide Jammeh with a safe residence to support a smooth transfer of power. Declining opinions of democracy in the West could erode its appeal overall. Investigations into political leaders will continue to foment dissatisfaction with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

International relations and the International Criminal Court

2020 ◽  
pp. 561-575
Author(s):  
Njoki Wamai
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
International Criminal Court ◽  
International Criminal ◽  
International Community ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
The West ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship

The tensions generated by the International Criminal Court’s (ICC’s) indictment of four prominent Kenyans—including Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, who went on to become president and deputy president of the Kenyan Republic, respectively—in 2013 promised to reorder the relationship between Kenya and the international community. This chapter discusses the ICC’s intervention and its impact on both local Kenyan politics and Kenya’s relationship with its regional and international partners including its traditional Western partners, such as Europe, the UK, and the US. The chapter also discusses how tensions between Kenya and the West influenced Kenya’s relationship with the East including China, India, and Japan.

Election dispute belies Togo's deeper stability risks

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Child Mortality ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
West African ◽  
The Political ◽  
The West ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Franc Zone ◽  
The Military ◽  
Democratic Norms

Subject The political outlook in Togo. Significance On April 28, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced that President Faure Gnassingbe had won re-election in the presidential ballot held on April 25, with 58.75% of the vote. His controversial third term will extend his family's rule to nearly 50 years. Opposition candidate Jean-Pierre Fabre secured 34.95% of the vote. His Combat for Political Change (CAP) alliance rejects the result. Impacts Western donors' effectiveness at pushing for democratic norms will wane as Togo, like other African states, accesses new debt sources. Togo's membership of the West African CFA franc zone, which is backed by the French treasury, will ensure currency stability. A Burkina Faso-style ouster of Gnassingbe is unlikely, for now -- he enjoys the support of the military who first installed him. Despite being spared the Ebola crisis, standards of public health will remain poor, with child mortality rates far above global averages.

Burundi crisis will pose risks for the wider region

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Civil War ◽  
International Criminal Court ◽  
International Criminal ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
African Union ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Heads Of State

Subject Regional risks posed by the crisis in Burundi. Significance On January 31, the African Union (AU) heads of state voted against deploying a proposed 5,000-strong peacekeeping force to Burundi to quell violence triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza's successful bid for a third term in office. The decision indicates tacit support by many leaders, some of whom are planning similar bids. Yet they remain concerned for the wider security implications should a full civil war erupt. Impacts Tanzania's new president, John Magufuli, is best placed to lead future peace talks given his strong standing regionally and internationally. If the crisis becomes genocidal, the UNSC may consider extending its DRC peacekeeping mission's mandate to include Burundi. AU opposition to the International Criminal Court means that Nkurunziza is unlikely to face charges if he steps down or is removed.

Burkina junta face battle consolidating takeover

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Performance ◽  
Ivory Coast ◽  
The United States ◽  
Military Coup ◽  
Legislative Elections ◽  
Old Regime ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Constitutional Order ◽  
Donor Support ◽  
The Military

Significance The military coup, which began on September 16, has dealt a major blow towards restoring constitutional order. The 'soft coup' ousting last year of former President Blaise Compaore was on the back of a popular insurrection. This new coup represents a grab for power by old regime members. Presidential and legislative elections due on October 11 are unlikely to take place as scheduled. Impacts Prolonged unrest in Burkina will jeopardise the ability of France and the United States to use the country as a counterterrorism base. Compaore's possible role in the coup, from his current base in Ivory Coast, could embarrass the Ivorian president's own re-election bid. If the crisis persists, Burkina's steady economic performance will be imperilled from suspensions in donor support.

South Africa's president will battle to stay on

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Trade Union ◽  
International Criminal Court ◽  
International Criminal ◽  
Criminal Activity ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Electoral Campaign ◽  
International Standing

Significance This followed the publication of a public protector report the previous day outlining damaging evidence of alleged collusion between government ministers and Zuma associates, the Gupta family, including potential criminal activity. The report's findings have sparked fears of a constitutional crisis, with a commission of inquiry to be established within 30 days. Impacts Divisions between the ANC's nine provincial bodies will increase as pro- and anti-Zuma camps crystallise, leading to internal party unrest. The alliance between the ANC and its trade union partners will likely weaken further and hamper the party's 2019 electoral campaign. Pretoria's international standing could suffer further after the announcement that it wished to leave the International Criminal Court.

US ICC sanctions are unlikely but spats will come

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
International Criminal Court ◽  
International Criminal ◽  
The United States ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
International Human Rights ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Existential Crisis ◽  
Us Military ◽  
International Human ◽  
Eastern And Southern Africa

Subject The United States, the International Criminal Court and international legal investigations. Significance The International Criminal Court (ICC) is being criticised for its paltry conviction record, alleged targeting of particular states and leaders and possibly existential crisis of being unable to prosecute many international criminals. On September 10, US National Security Advisor John Bolton questioned the ICC's legitimacy and applicability, threatening sanctions against its leadership if it pursued investigations against US military personnel for controversial incidents in Afghanistan or against US allies. Impacts African states may push the ICC to refocus away from eastern and southern Africa. Some leaders could use US criticisms of the ICC as cover to violate international human rights. Washington may increasingly seek bilateral protections against ICC involvement in US global activities. The ICC may recalibrate its approach to disputes, seeking other support for its activities.

Kimberly Prost

2018 ◽  
Vol 112 ◽  
pp. 243-244
Author(s):  
Kimberly Prost
Keyword(s):  
International Criminal Court ◽  
International Criminal ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
Political Context ◽  
The Political ◽  
National Context ◽  
International Courts ◽  
International Court ◽  
Judicial Role

This is one of the issues that is perhaps the most challenging for judges who come to international courts from a national context. It is particularly important that a judge understands the political context in which they are judging. There is a tendency to say—and I have heard many colleagues at the ICTY and International Criminal Court (ICC) saying—“I am going to keep completely out of the politics because that's none of my business, I'm here to just to do my judicial role.” With great respect I think that is a fundamental mistake, because the reality is if a judge is going to defend her independence on an international court, she really has to understand the political context in which she is defending it.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document