Experts call on Africa to prioritize int'l justice

African security experts on Thursday called on the continent's leaders to make the international justice a reality for crime victims.

The experts from African think tank, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and other organizations said many Africans continue to pay for a lack of justice with their lives, their futures and their basic human rights.

"Africa cannot afford not to have international criminal justice, but there is more to this than debate around the International Criminal Court (ICC)," said Jemima Njeri, a senior researcher at the ISS in a joint statement received in Nairobi.

"For this reason, more needs to be done to rid the continent of impunity through domestic responses," Njeri added.

The experts said some of the most horrific crimes known to mankind have taken place fairly recently in countries like Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

"There can be no doubt that Africa must have justice for international crimes. What form this justice takes, and whether it is meted out in national, regional or international courts, is something the continent must decide and act upon," the statement said.

Professor Vincent Nmehielle, Legal Counsel and Director for Legal Affairs of the AU Commission said the domestic system must take primacy.

"Prosecuting heads of state has immense practical concerns for peace, security and stability," Nmehielle said.

The experts said political barriers and other challenges continue to hinder accountability for international crimes - which include genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"Yet, Africa has come a long way through various initiatives. Developments at the International Crimes Division of the High Court of Uganda, Extraordinary African Chambers in Senegal, the proposed hybrid courts in states like South Sudan and Chad, and the protocol expanding the jurisdiction of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights and domestic laws further show that there is still hope for international justice in Africa," they said.

However, the experts noted that these are initiatives that need to be strengthened, noting that if domestic responses are to achieve that, constructive engagement is needed between African states, the AU, the ICC and the global community.

"We need to have real, sincere and serious dialogue about working together," said Dr Salah Hammad, Senior human rights expert at the AU Department of Political Affairs.

"The role of the ICC must be very clear as one that complements and supports national systems in Africa, to ensure it serves as a court of last resort, not first instance," he noted. Endit