ICC prosecutor lobbies Niger not to leave court

By Alpha Kamara

DAKAR, Senegal (AA) - The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) chief prosecutor Tuesday met with members of Niger’s parliament in a bid to convince the government not to quit the court.

Several African governments have recently made moves to leave the ICC over allegations of biased prosecutions against African leaders.

After the presentation by the ICC’s Fatou Bensuda, MPs of the West African nation asked her scores of questions on the court’s integrity and independence, saying that it largely targets African leaders.

“The ICC has never forced any state to join the court. Ratifications are made voluntarily based of the conviction of fairness in justice dispensation,” argued Bensuda, dismissing allegations of bias.

She further affirmed that “credibility and integrity” are the court’s pillars.

“African governments should believe in this court to end impunity,” she stressed, adding that the court will continue to pursue justice.