African leaders have emphasised the need to safeguard the future of justice on the continent and the importance of national sovereignty.

This was at an event commemorating the eighth anniversary of Burundi’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), organise by Pan-African company, Afrique Média, held in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Burundi, which finalised its withdrawal from the ICC on October 27, 2017, reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, transparency, and sustainable development within the legitimacy of its political system and the African continent as a whole. Speakers emphasised that strengthening national judicial systems is crucial for fostering social cohesion.

The event, attended by diplomats, lawyers, and human rights officials, had discussions that were framed by a broader continental movement, including the recent announcement by the Sahel States Alliance of their intention to withdraw from the ICC.

A major theme was the call for African-led alternatives to international tribunals. Deputy High Representative of the African Union for the Great Lakes Region, Patrick Balagizi, stated that Africa gains nothing from the ICC. He stressed the urgent need for African countries to develop their own mechanisms to address their issues independently.

A Magistrate of the Malian Court, Jassane Maguate, who joined the event remotely, spoke on the importance of each African country taking independent responsibility and called for the establishment of common alternatives for fair and sovereign justice.

UN Human Rights Officer, Vera Mutoni, also addressed the participants, highlighting the importance of discussing and considering new mechanisms to ensure justice for countries that have already withdrawn from the ICC.

The event outlined key directions for future collaboration such as strengthening the legitimacy and sovereignty of African states; creating mechanisms to resolve problems independently and ensuring sovereign policies to foster social cohesion.