South Africa, due to host Putin, rows back from pledge to quit war crimes court

On Wednesday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reversed his commitment to quit the International Criminal Court months before hosting Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who is wanted by the ICC for war crimes.

On Tuesday, Ramaphosa announced the ruling African National Congress would seek to withdraw South Africa from the Hague-based court, which handles genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. On Wednesday, Ramaphosa’s office admitted error.

“South Africa remains a signatory to the ICC in line with a resolution of the 55th National Conference of the ANC – held in December 2022 – to rescind an earlier decision to withdraw from the ICC,” the presidency said.

“The December resolution was reaffirmed at an ANC National Executive Committee meeting during the weekend of 21 to 24 April 2023.”

Putin was arrested in March for forcibly deporting Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territory. Moscow denies war crimes, including child deportations, and claims the ICC has no authority since Russia is not a member.

Putin will attend the August BRICS conference in South Africa. South Africa, an ICC member, must detain him.

Putin hasn’t traveled since the ICC warrant. Since invading Ukraine last year, he has only visited Iran.

At its December national conference, the ANC resolved to forsake a legislative procedure to leave the ICC and try to modify it from within.

On Wednesday, the presidency stated South Africa would establish an African continental criminal court to supplement the ICC as a court of last resort.