Kenya called for institutional reform at the International Criminal Court after Washington extended sanctions to the court itself. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei accused the institution of selectivity and said Kenya would work with fellow treaty members. The court rejected the sanctions and sought support to sustain its work; Kenya has not presented an agreed reform text.
Kenyan Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei called on Saturday for reform at the International Criminal Court, the institution established under the Rome Statute to administer international criminal justice. He accused it of selectivity and failing to meet its founding mandate. Kenya would work with other treaty members on institutional changes, he said.[1], [2]
The call followed Friday’s announcement of US sanctions targeting the court as an institution, extending earlier measures against individual officials. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would not permit prosecution of Americans. The United States is not a Rome Statute member and opposes arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and investigations involving US personnel.[1]
The sanctions could affect companies providing banking, insurance and technology services to the court. They include a 6-month grace period and exemptions for some transactions. Rubio said the interval gave the court and member states time to address US concerns.[1]
The court rejected the sanctions as an attack on the rule of law and international legal order. It pledged to continue its work and called on its 125 member states to help sustain operations. The European Union also criticised the measures and offered assistance. Kenya’s call advocates reform while rejecting sanctions; no agreed treaty-amendment text was presented.[1]
