ICC exit: UN chief hails The Gambia's decision to stay

The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has hailed The Gambia on its decision to remain a party to the Rome Statute, and by that a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

A statement confirming receipt of The Gambia’s rescission to withdraw from the ICC said, ‘‘The Gambia, like so many other African States, played a major role in the negotiations leading to the adoption of the Rome Statute and was among its first signatories.

‘‘The Secretary-General welcomes that The Gambia will remain a State Party to the International Criminal Court’s founding instrument, and remains confident that States Parties will continue to further strengthen the Court through a constructive dialogue.’‘

It's official, #Gambia has notified the UN that it will stay with IntnlCrimCourt, and "honour its obligations under the Rome Statute." #ICC pic.twitter.com/GKAvJBNEQk

— Steve Cockburn (stevecockburn) February 17, 2017

In November 2016, former president Yahya Jammeh started processes of withdrawal from the ICC. The then government described the court as an ‘International Caucasian Court,’ which targeted only Africans.

But the new government under Adama Barrow, on 10 February, 2017; officially notified the UN that it was staying in the group despite discussions over a mass withdrawal by some leaders during the recent African Union summit in Ethiopia.

Jammeh’s withdrawal decision followed similar steps undertaken by Burundi and South Africa. The ICC’s current chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, was a former minister of Justice under Jammeh’s regime. Beside the ICC withdrawal, Jammeh also took the Gambia out of the Commonwealth – a move the Barrow government has started rescinding.