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Click here for news report (approximately 2 pages); click here for resolution (approximately 3 pages)
In an extraordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) on October 12, 2013, leaders passed a resolution regarding Africa’s relationship with the International Criminal Court. While reiterating the AU’s commitment to fight impunity, the Assembly resolved that sitting African heads of state shall not appear before any international court during their term of office. The ICC is currently pursuing cases against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Samoei Ruto; the resolution outlined plans to consult with the United Nations Security Council to take measures to suspend these cases. The resolution states: “President Uhuru Kenyatta will not appear before the ICC until such time as the concerns raised by the AU and its Member States have been adequately addressed by the UN Security Council and the ICC.”